lighting the 1000's

reefkoi · #1 06/29/2007, 08:36 PM

Got one of the 1000 watt helios 20K's lit just now.
It's on the left the middle is off and the 2-250 watt phoenix's are on the far right.
I thought the phoenix had great color but i'm loving the 20K helios.
I'll add a shot when all 3 are on
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Deuce67 · #2 06/29/2007, 09:08 PM

Man, that is brighter for sure!

aquaman2000 · #3 06/29/2007, 09:25 PM

Your going to have to tint the monkeys dive mask so he can clean your tank.

The pic is sweet the 1000 WATT 20K’s kick total a__!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to them in person.

I am inspired and can not wait to get my 1000 W 20K’s burning.

lfduty · #4 06/29/2007, 09:53 PM

That looks good.

calvin415 · #5 06/29/2007, 09:56 PM

Wow!!! I think that is going to have to be the route we go as well Chris. Thanks for being the ultimate tester! LOL!

reefkoi · #6 06/29/2007, 10:03 PM

Dude this is intense with the lights in the room dimmed my eyes have to take time to adjust!
It hurts at first then they adjust.
I hope the corals can handle the change and adjust.
Crazy.............I can't believe how the colors pop, I guess the intensity and the slightly bluer color help .
I have ditched the PC's now LOL won't need those wimps anymore LOL.

Eric you will have to come by

LarryW · #7 06/29/2007, 11:37 PM

Sweet! are you going to add the other 2 slowly, or tomorrow?

reefkoi · #8 06/30/2007, 12:00 AM

I added the 2nd one tonight and I'll add the 3rd Sunday probably.
I am doing a 6 hour on right now if it seem's like too much I'll cut it back.

Huhhhhh · #9 06/30/2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefkoi
I added the 2nd one tonight and I'll add the 3rd Sunday probably.

So all the bleached frags will be ready to move on Sunday then.

__________________
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

And remember you can always lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think.

LarryW · #10 06/30/2007, 12:04 AM

cool. did you add the right as the second, or the middle?

Deuce67 · #11 06/30/2007, 06:52 AM

LOL! Looks like you are inspiring other fellas to go to 1000W huh? Before you guys start ordering these 1000W, double check to see if your outlets can handle the load. Chris setup was a breeze since he has an electrical panel with available breaker space in an unfinished mechanical room. No problem with wiring it up there.

reefkoi · #12 06/30/2007, 07:42 AM

Yeah Larry I did the left as #1 the middle as #2 and the right as #3 all the ballasts, outlets and breakers marked accordingly.

Yeah Russ makes a good point I have to have 1 -15 amp circuit per lamp. It draws 9 amps per bulb, thats a total of 27 amps for lighting, thats a lot. Plus the 20 amp chiller. But to use the large lumenarc III reflectors above a 4' wide tank this is the only way to go really. Otherwise you'd only end up with 3-400 watters and heck thats not near enough light for a 4x8 tank. Even Scotts 125 has 3-400 watt bulbs on it.
I'll pay the extra power bill, I think it's well worth it. I will have the 3rd bulb on by Sunday and I'll do a comparison photo like the one I posted in my FTS thread, that way I could post them next to each other and see what it looks like.

normanviking · #13 06/30/2007, 09:26 AM

That looks awesome Chris. Post some more pics. I hope your stuff doesn't get to burned.

bigsittingrock · #14 06/30/2007, 09:37 AM

How much is the tank tour and what are the hours?

aquaman2000 · #15 06/30/2007, 12:40 PM

And does the facility provide sun glasses or do we need bring our own?

LarryW · #16 06/30/2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aquaman2000
And does the facility provide sun glasses or do we need bring our own?

don't forget sun screen. SPS 50 probably!

reefkoi · #17 06/30/2007, 01:21 PM

LOL well the tank tour is Sept. 22nd. sunglasses not provided.
I have the 3rd bay opened up and everything in place, ready for the fixture.
I'll post a FTS tomorrow afternoon

C

calvin415 · #18 06/30/2007, 01:51 PM

Chris/Riuss, we've got 2 20A circuits available for the 225, with the lights on one and the rest of the tank (Pumps, Heaters, Skimmer etc) on the other. I figure 2 1000W setups would be 18A on a 20A circuit. I know you're not supposed to push them to a limit, think this could be an issue?

Deuce67 · #19 06/30/2007, 02:58 PM

Yes, it would be an issue. No more than 80% load on a rated breaker. So thats 16A. 400W is more than enough for you 24" tall tank bro.

Huhhhhh · #20 06/30/2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by calvin415
Chris/Riuss, we've got 2 20A circuits available for the 225, with the lights on one and the rest of the tank (Pumps, Heaters, Skimmer etc) on the other. I figure 2 1000W setups would be 18A on a 20A circuit. I know you're not supposed to push them to a limit, think this could be an issue?

Sounds like a new sub panel is in order. If you want to play with the big dogs you got to spend like one, right Christo?

Deuce67 · #21 06/30/2007, 03:37 PM

They have a subpanel. Problem is its at the other end of the basement and the basement is finished. Unless they wanna cut some drywall out to run a new line, 400W is the max which is more than enough.

calvin415 · #22 06/30/2007, 04:41 PM

I don't think 400's will cut it, but maybe we can divide the load up between the two circuits...

reefkoi · #23 06/30/2007, 08:58 PM

you know I think you could maybe do 1 1000 watter. raise it up and it may cover well.
just a thought then if its noy enough add 1 more.
I think 2 good 400's would work also but if it doesn't then your out that money so its a tough call.

calvin415 · #24 06/30/2007, 09:26 PM

Yeah, I don't want to have to shell out more money, I'd rather just jump on up. Scott looked at it and didn't think 400's would be enough either... I PM'd you Chris, but I'll add it here... How hot do they get? I've got a cross brace so I'd either have to have the light way up (new light rack) or I'd have to go to 2 to keep from melting the support.

LMK your thoughts.

reefkoi · #25 07/01/2007, 09:43 AM

Like I said in my PM, I forgot about the brace and these things do get hot! My chiller has no problem keeping up but 1000 watts of anything is going to be hot.
If we lived in a perfect world you could have built the tank with a eurobrace and got away with 1-1000 watt bulb and everything would be great.
Who knew though?
For now though I say check these out, feel the heat, see the light spread and color and then decide.

Honestly I know 1000 watts on a reef tank is very very rare. But does that mean nobody wants to try anything new? 400 watters were very rare 10 years ago. If you had mentioned 400 watters on a 125 10 years ago people would laugh at you. But it works.
Hell a 110 watt VHO was the hot ticket when I got into this hobby.
I think the 1000's are going to get more common.

I read books and articles that state "it's nearly impossible to overlight your tank"

So that's why I did it.
Reefermadness uses all the same components I now have. I consulted with Kris Wray about this before starting.
They have some of the nicest looking corals on the net and then when people get the corals home and they adjust to 250 watt bulbs they turn into an average looking coral. Why? Because we don't hit our tanks with enough light I believe.

It's going to be an experiment, I will be having you all over here in September at the meeting and those of you that have seen my tank can see for yourself if it was a good or bad move.

Chris