Sump Lighting ???

[Bikinisalt]

Right now I have a 40G sump with a regular pc light. It is doing okay, but I was wondering if I could use a metal halide. I have a 175W and a 400W sitting around and wanted to know if I could use this for it and if there were any benefits from it or should I just leave it alone.

The only thing in the sump is cheato, a few hermits and sand.

Thank you in advance...

 

[yeahcheetah]

Got any ventilation for the sump?

 

[Bikinisalt]

Good ? Actually I do. It is in the open.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ray that's gonna get hot and cause the tank above it to get warm as well. I think PC or T5 is the way to go.

 

[roncgizmo]

Why would you what to use all that power for cheato? I use a PC flood light I got from HD for around 8 bucks it's 16 watts 6500k (rated 65) and it's doing a great job they have another one that's 23 watts+- (rated 100) if you feel you need more..

 

[Bikinisalt]

The sump is not in a cabinet or nothing like that. It is in the open on the floor. I was just wondering if there were any benefits with a MH.

 

[Bikinisalt]

I guess I will leave alone. It seems to be doing fine.

 

[bad coffee]

no use using the mh unless you're going to use your old bulbs from your display tank. once the colors shift and the bulb starts 'helping the algea' why not put it to good use.

B

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Open stand? Then a fan blowing across the top of the sump should help keep it cool. Check Meleves reef and look at his suggestions on sump lighting. He's got some great stuff there.
http://www.melevsreef.com/

 

[Bikinisalt]

no use using the mh unless you're going to use your old bulbs from your display tank. once the colors shift and the bulb starts 'helping the algea' why not put it to good use.

B

That's a good idea. I did not know once the bulbs colors shift they help algae. Out of curiosity when should the bulbs be changed? I use them until they die.

 

[Bikinisalt]

Open stand? Then a fan blowing across the top of the sump should help keep it cool. Check Meleves reef and look at his suggestions on sump lighting. He's got some great stuff there.
http://www.melevsreef.com/

Hey B, good website. Alot of info... Thanks for the resource

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

No prob dude. He's a member here but rarely checks in you could send him a PM and maybe he comes around again :biggrin: