MH 150W w/o chiller? anyone tried it?

[fab79]

Just wana find out if anyone is using MH w/o a chiller? Is there any problems with keeping a reef tank? I am using only fans to cool the system and the temp is quite alright at 29 degrees.. So far I have NOT been successful in keeping even the simplest soft corals alive for a month. they just wither away slowly at the end of the month..( eg mushrooms and button polyps) I have a very low bioload and the specs of my tank are at:

my tank

[JustinK]

Temp at 29 is abit on the high side. Your fishes will be ok, but your corals will prefer a slightly lower temp. You may also wish to invest in some more test kits to monitor your parameters, IMO, jus testing for calcium and nitrate is not enough.

Other factors like Ph, DKH etc will affect the condition of your livestock. The new range of glare test kits are pretty affordable and accurate, got myself a few from their range and i must say i am impressed with the accuracy. Mushies are hardy corals, and if they cant survive for more than a month in your tank, then something may be wrong somewhere. Best way to start is to test your parameters to see what they are like.

Using a MH w/o chiller is possible, jus add more fans blowing across your surface and place the mh at a higher position. If your tank is in a well aerated place or airconditioned place, even better.

[chrislwp]

I seem someone using 2x250w MH for a 3ft without chiller... using those strong fan.

Those fan that we see in shopping center.. that keep a balloon floating in the air those type

[fab79]

hmm sorry the webpage is a little outdated...

since then ive bought test tkits and the parameters are all fine..

ammonia=0

nitrite=0

nitrate=25mg

calcium=450

KH=high

alkalinity=8.something forgot

[fab79]

but still dunno whats happening??

corals still dying..

[strat]

Better get a chiller if you have the budget.

Especially the weather these days are getting hotter and hotter!

[kee]

me lor

[tineng]

I think you should invest in chiller rather then MH....reason is that if you spot 29 degree as your average tank temp, then what about the time where you are not looking? example, hot stuffy night? you temp might just reach 30-31 degree....should be BAD for corals....

also since the hardiest corals does not really need a lot of light and they are still dying....then something else is really wrong....you should perhaps try to find out wat's wrong first before investing in a MH....

in the posting of your tank spec you have also indicated that you are away in your hostel most of the time.....maybe that is also one of the reason????

[fab79]

hmmm intending to get pl lightings for the moment.. trying out to see if the problem is with my MH... Anyone seliing their 3ft PL Lighting?

hehe

[Tigger]

bite the bullet, get mh

[ervine]

I used a 250W on my 55gal without chiller for a while.. but had a table fan blowing at the water surface... temp worse was 29.9... but I don't recommend it...

[ryz]

I'm using 150W MH on my 3 feet... tank temp maintains below 27 degrees celcius... I'm using 2 AC fans... At night, when I sleep, sometimes the temp drops to a low of 23 degrees centigrade!!

[ReDDeviLs]

i use to have PL 36watts 6tube without fan or chiller..

have lps and softies..tank is about 28-30 sometiems 31..very seldom..

corals so far ok,

now i just got my mh for 3days

2x150w with 4 fans... in the afternoon about 3-11pm aircon on..

temperature only 26-27degreess...

without aircon about 27-28 only.

my tank 5x2x2.