Metal halide heat

[Acrofiend]

I just pulled the trigger on a 24” t5/mh giesemann spectra and I’m just worried how much heat this fixture is going to put out.
I don’t mind my tank heating up but more of how much this will heat up my living room as my tank is next to my couch.
I don’t plan on running the t5’s. So mainly concerned about the halide. Did I make a bad decision?
Currently running 6 bulb t5 fixture and the heat doesn’t bother me.

 

[pga7602]

I don't think you are going to notice any difference compared to your current setup. As far as outside the tank temps that is.... Most of the added heat is going into the water in the for of IR.

 

[DJ H]

Get a chiller. That’s what I got metal halides rule. Grows corals and you don’t have to worry about bs settings

 

[Acrofiend]

That’s good to know. I literally sit right next to my tank and id hate to run the AC everyday.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I ran halides when I lived in Vegas. AC on constantly and I didn’t use a chiller.

 

[CNDReef]

I have a 250w MH over a 29 biocube and have a computer fan blowing over the water top and temperature is steady at 77. I do have my ac set for 70 degrees

 

[jd-woodlands]

I have a 4 bulb t5 and 2 x 175w halide fixture and run two small fans on my 30gal. Keep ac at 75 and tank is 78.5 with t5 on and peaks at 79.5 with t5 + mH.

Without lights on my tank runs 80+ by itself without fans. Chiller probably isn’t needed.

 

[Acrofiend]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.
I guess the next question is what bulb/ ballast to run. Leaning towards m80 and 250w radium.

 

[A. grandis]

Well, the whole package will tell you really what the heat will be in your room.
A Radium 250W with the m80 ballast will run at ~330W and give you more heat than a 250W Hamilton with an electronic ballast which should be around ~270W (regular 250 setting), or ~310W (on 250 Super Lumens setting).
The electronic ballast will give you less wattage and less heat, but I would suggest to get the m80 for Radium!
If you want similar results using an electronic ballast you can use the Hamilton 250W 20000K (regular setting).
Into the equation you'll have to blend all that with the ambient temperature and ventilation in your house.
You need to decide what is the priority: coral growth or ambient heat.
Independent of ambient temperature I'd run a chiller to make sure the system's temperature is always without major fluctuations.

No, you didn't make a bad decision! The Spectra is IMO one of the best fixtures available today!!!

 

[Acrofiend]

Well, the whole package will tell you really what the heat will be in your room.
A Radium 250W with the m80 ballast will run at ~330W and give you more heat than a 250W Hamilton with an electronic ballast which should be around ~270W (regular 250 setting), or ~310W (on 250 Super Lumens setting).
The electronic ballast will give you less wattage and less heat, but I would suggest to get the m80 for Radium!
If you want similar results using an electronic ballast you can use the Hamilton 250W 20000K (regular setting).
Into the equation you'll have to blend all that with the ambient temperature and ventilation in your house.
You need to decide what is the priority: coral growth or ambient heat.
Independent of ambient temperature I'd run a chiller to make sure the system's temperature is always without major fluctuations.

No, you didn't make a bad decision! The Spectra is IMO one of the best fixtures available today!!!

Thanks for that info. I’m trying to find a middle ground between heat and growth. My tank is only 20” deep so I’m sure 250w Hamilton will be sufficient.
What electronic ballast would you suggest with the 250w Hamilton?

 

[Acrofiend]

Also is there anyway to attach a reefbrite xho to the fixture?

 

[A. grandis]

Thanks for that info. I’m trying to find a middle ground between heat and growth. My tank is only 20” deep so I’m sure 250w Hamilton will be sufficient.
What electronic ballast would you suggest with the 250w Hamilton?

I have this one:

https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/luxcore-250-watt-dimmable-ballast.html
You can also try this one:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/250w-selectable-wattage-electronic-ballast-icecap.html
They are basically the same.

 

[A. grandis]

Also is there anyway to attach a reefbrite xho to the fixture?

I would hope so, but I personally prefer to use T5s than the XHOs.
I would get Giesemann actinic blue or ATI Blue Plus bulbs if you want to try.

 

[Bpb]

There will be a moderate amount of heat increase. Since you’re not accustomed to running your AC it may kick on a little more often. I’m in central Texas and our ac is actively running probably 80% of the day every day so I don’t notice the difference. I run 2x250 hamilton 14k on m58 magnetic ballasts, in a canopy, 16” off the water. Standard 48”x18”x24” 90 gallon. Water temps are between 78-79 between the heater at night and the two clip on fans during the day. Never needed a chiller. AC set to 74

 

[Acrofiend]

Just purchased a Hamilton 250w electronic ballast and 250w 20k Hamilton bulb. Should be picking up both tomorrow. Does this one differ from the luxcores?

 

[A. grandis]

Just purchased a Hamilton 250w electronic ballast and 250w 20k Hamilton bulb. Should be picking up both tomorrow. Does this one differ from the luxcores?

Everything Hamilton does has quality and is durable.
Awesome customer service as well.
You're doing great!

Here is how to wire the Spectra:

 

[Acrofiend]

Update: The single 250w halide bulb didn’t add much heat to my living room even sitting a foot away. Though I did have to add a chiller. Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[A. grandis]

oh no... not that fast... what about the pics? lol

 

[leepink23]

Also is there anyway to attach a reefbrite xho to the fixture?

I added 2 Orphek for nighttime viewing, reefbrite should be similar, I had to modify the brackets slightly.

 

[Acrofiend]

Hamilton 20k bulb w/ 2 ati true actinics and 2 giesemann 6500k bulbs. Also added two reefbrite xhos for nighttime viewing.