Does using MH's automatically mean you are going to need a chiller? I have a 90 gal tank and I am thinking of using 2 - 250 or 2 - 175watt (10Kbulbs) MH fixtures, with actinic power compacts. They will be about 5 inches from the water surface inside a canopy (the back is open and I can put fans on the side of the canopy if necessary).I don't want to invest in a chiller if I don't have too. I'd like to hear from the masses, especially if you're not using a chiller. I have central air in the house and in the winter the temp stays around 73 degrees.
How many people are using Metal Halides without a chiller?
- Thread starter dnyce
- Start date
well im running 2x250w on my 90 and i dont have a chiller i do notice the water temp change but my livingroom is always cold.i havent ran it during the summer so that can be a whole new ball game.i would believe that if you haVe an a.c in the room you might not need a chiller.
- Location
- Montclair, NJ
I use 2 *250 MH with PC Actinics. I don't run a chiller but I cheat.... My tank is near the air conditioner.
There is a lot of factors that will contribute to the water temp. You may be ok with central air but you probably will not know for sure until the summer heat says hello.
There is a lot of factors that will contribute to the water temp. You may be ok with central air but you probably will not know for sure until the summer heat says hello.
- Location
- hells kitchen
I run 2 250w MH with VHO actinics...no chiller - no ac in the summer.
I use 2 Vantec Thermoflow 120X120mm 12v cooling fans across the open top.
I also add some large room fans in the summer. I set those up to blow across the thin sheets of water on the baffles in the sump.
Since I get a lot of natural light I also cut down my photo period.
Down side is the amount of evaporation....up to 5 gallons a day for a 112g tank!
I use 2 Vantec Thermoflow 120X120mm 12v cooling fans across the open top.
I also add some large room fans in the summer. I set those up to blow across the thin sheets of water on the baffles in the sump.
Since I get a lot of natural light I also cut down my photo period.
Down side is the amount of evaporation....up to 5 gallons a day for a 112g tank!
junglebase
Will always be a Newbie..
- Location
- Jersey City
Wow! that is a lot of evaporation!...
i have a 90 gl open top and run a Azoo cooling fan ontop. i set it on timer goes on same time the mh do. pretty much steady at 77-78. i havent used it in the summer though so not sure how thats going to be.
you keep your tank temp at 73? is that a bit low?
you keep your tank temp at 73? is that a bit low?
- Location
- Franklin Lakes, NJ
You will likely need the fans in the canopy, but may not need a chiller if the room stays naturally cool.
I run 175w MH on my 36Gal open top tank. I dont have a chiller, and manage to keep the tank fairly cool in summer.
I dont have an enclosed hood, I have a pendant with fans blowing air across the MH bulb. I also have a fan that blows into the sump. Finally the thing that dropped at least 3 degrees off the tank temp was to get rid of my mag 7 and replace it with an ehiem pump.
I dont have an enclosed hood, I have a pendant with fans blowing air across the MH bulb. I also have a fan that blows into the sump. Finally the thing that dropped at least 3 degrees off the tank temp was to get rid of my mag 7 and replace it with an ehiem pump.
I have two 250 watt MH 12 inched above a 70 gallon tank without a chiller. I went to great lengths to eliminate other heat producing sources. I just managed to squeeze an external circulation pump in my stand, and I got a Vortech power head which mounts the motor outside of the glass. I have a small fan blowing air onto the sump surface which is on only when the lights are on. A couple of days ago I added two submerged powerheads in the tank and at least one will have to go because it's hard to keep the temp stable with them even in winter. I plan to research Tunze powerheads as they seem to use low wattages and maybe mount the motor out of the water. A second Vortech is a possibility, especially if they come out with a wavemaker. They're expensive, but cheaper than a chiller.
I used 2 250K MH / with 2 PC with no chiller on a 60 gallon tank for 2 years. I had 4 fans in the hood. 2 pushing air in and 2 pushing air out. In the summer i kept the house around 72-70. When i upgrade to my 210 with 3 400watt MH and t5 attnics i needed a chiller.
My house temperature is 73 degrees in the winter and about 74-75 in the summer with the CAC. Thanks for all the replies I guess I will have to try it out and see what happens in my environment. I have a mag 9.5 for the return and 2- maxi-jet 1200 powerheads.
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fluidimagery
There's more to life...
- Location
- Riverhead, NY
I have 2 x 175 over my 95g with no chiller, just 4 4" smart fans in the canopy. The house stays at 62 during the winter and about 70 during the summer. I've only set the tank up a week ago, but so far so good with the heat. Tank is steady at 78.
My thread and build is in my signature for ideas.
My thread and build is in my signature for ideas.
- Location
- Forest Hills
chillers r not required. however, fans in the hood/canopy for MH is a must. room also would need to be cool (under 80). else heat will be a problem in your tank. i run a 400w MH n sold my chiller. my temp is 78-80.
I saw your tank thread that is some nice craftmanship, very meticulous with the running of the lights and ballast. But how are you living in a house that is 62 in the winter? My wife would kill me!
fluidimagery
There's more to life...
- Location
- Riverhead, NY
haha. we both like it cold. Most of the time is spent on our 2nd floor and we have a very open floor plan so it's warmer upstairs. Sometimes I'll feel crazy and raise the temp to 68 if we're downstairs a lot. I'm actually having trouble keeping my temp stable. I'm using a 200w heater from my old setup that worked fine, it's taken 4 days for the temp in the tank to go from 55 to 75 (it won't go any higher) so I have a 2nd heater on order.
Wow! 62 degrees in the winter. I just bought a house and I keep my temp at 68 degrees and even that is too cold. Im used to living in an apartment so it makes a difference.
I hope you ordered a 300w heater. They work very well.
I second the idea of changing the mag drive pump. I saw a big drop in temp in my last tank when I removed the mag 12. The pump generates a lot of heat. But then again, if you are having trouble bringing your temp up you should keep it until you are able to stabalize your system.
Good luck.
I hope you ordered a 300w heater. They work very well.
I second the idea of changing the mag drive pump. I saw a big drop in temp in my last tank when I removed the mag 12. The pump generates a lot of heat. But then again, if you are having trouble bringing your temp up you should keep it until you are able to stabalize your system.
Good luck.
scarf_ace1981
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- San Juan, PR
i use 2-250w mh on my 120g, no chiller but i leave the ac on in the summer.
1- 175w mh on 40br. no chiller
1- 175w mh on 40br. no chiller
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