Reefbright XHO next to MH's Heat??

mc-cro · 01/27/2014, 10:44 AM

I am currently running 3 250W Radiums over my tank, supplemented with VHO.

I plan to replace the VHO bulbs with 48" Reefbright XHO strips. The thought is direct replacement of where the VHO's are now, but I have read some disclaimers that they dont like heat.

Has anyone else mounted the reefbrights that close, any long term effects?

Here is a pic of the light rack, (before I added the 3rd center bulb)

aandfsoccr04 · 01/27/2014, 12:35 PM

That's about what my setup looks like. Been running that way for a few years now with no problems.

tmc1313 · 01/27/2014, 12:41 PM

Reefbrite actually sell their halide pendants with the option of attaching their led's right to the pendant. So, I think you will be fine.

James77 · 01/27/2014, 01:17 PM

The only way I can think of you running into a problem is if the reefbrites were in the directs line of the halide light where they would build up more heat. On the sides you will be fine.

mc-cro · 01/27/2014, 02:50 PM

Thanks, I am feeling better about the placement. These Reefbrights XHO's arent cheap, even used, and the last thing I want to do is cook them.

I am really anxious to get them up. I love my old VHO's, but I have been eyeballing the xho for a long time, and I came across a deal last night that I just couldnt walk away from.

moondoggy4 · 01/27/2014, 09:51 PM

Which ones will you be getting the 50/50 and or all blue?

mc-cro · 01/27/2014, 10:05 PM

I bought the all blue ones.

moondoggy4 · 01/27/2014, 10:25 PM

Nice I have the 50/50 gives off good shimmer but is way to white changes the color of the corals.

James77 · 01/27/2014, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc-cro

Thanks, I am feeling better about the placement. These Reefbrights XHO's arent cheap, even used, and the last thing I want to do is cook them.

I am really anxious to get them up. I love my old VHO's, but I have been eyeballing the xho for a long time, and I came across a deal last night that I just couldnt walk away from.

You'll love them...they are intense and more than noticeable with halides on.

mc-cro · 01/28/2014, 09:24 AM

I played with one a little bit last night. with 1 250w on and both VHO superactinics on, I held 1 48" strip over the tank and could see the blue enhanced, and a bit of more pop.

I imagine, with all 3 MH on, its going to wash out a lot of the blue, but I will probably still see some "pop" from the corals.

Now, after the halides all went off, and it was just the old VHO tubes, then I held the 1 strip up again, and I saw corals and colors I never knew I had. it was amazing.

I cant wait to get both strips up.

......although my wife is still shaking her head in disbelief that I paid so much for a bunch of little led lights

4bruceinc · 01/28/2014, 06:25 PM

I ran two 36" XHOs with two 250 MHs for a year and never had an issue. I now run them with retrofitted T5s.

mc-cro · 01/29/2014, 08:07 AM

thanks, I am still nervous, but I guess its just not that big of a deal for the heat

4bruceinc · 01/29/2014, 08:26 AM

I should add that heat has not been an issue for me because the canopy is ventilated pretty well. The back is open with four van tech fans and the sides and top are vented.

When running MH, I kept my temp no higher than 78.5. With T5s, it does not rise above 77.5.

Although I may keep my reef cooler than most, it is my understanding that all led strips need to be cooled. However, I do not know the threshold. I would suggest emailing Joy at reefbrite or ask Jeremy at Premium Aquatics.

mc-cro · 01/29/2014, 08:32 AM

thats probably a good idea to contact the manufacturer, as long as they dont give me the same generic warning thats on the stickers.

My canopy does have a 12" x 2"vent hole, but no fans, and it builds up a lot of heat. I should put a temp gauge in there and measure to find out

01/27/2014, 10:44 AM	#1
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	Reefbright XHO next to MH's Heat?? I am currently running 3 250W Radiums over my tank, supplemented with VHO. I plan to replace the VHO bulbs with 48" Reefbright XHO strips. The thought is direct replacement of where the VHO's are now, but I have read some disclaimers that they dont like heat. Has anyone else mounted the reefbrights that close, any long term effects? Here is a pic of the light rack, (before I added the 3rd center bulb) __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

01/27/2014, 12:35 PM	#2
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	That's about what my setup looks like. Been running that way for a few years now with no problems. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef Last edited by aandfsoccr04; 01/27/2014 at 12:41 PM.

01/27/2014, 12:41 PM	#3
tmc1313 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, Connecticut Posts: 1,530	Reefbrite actually sell their halide pendants with the option of attaching their led's right to the pendant. So, I think you will be fine. __________________ --Todd Last edited by tmc1313; 01/27/2014 at 01:26 PM.

01/27/2014, 01:17 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	The only way I can think of you running into a problem is if the reefbrites were in the directs line of the halide light where they would build up more heat. On the sides you will be fine. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

01/27/2014, 02:50 PM	#5
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	Thanks, I am feeling better about the placement. These Reefbrights XHO's arent cheap, even used, and the last thing I want to do is cook them. I am really anxious to get them up. I love my old VHO's, but I have been eyeballing the xho for a long time, and I came across a deal last night that I just couldnt walk away from. __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

01/27/2014, 09:51 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Which ones will you be getting the 50/50 and or all blue?

01/27/2014, 10:05 PM	#7
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	I bought the all blue ones. __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

01/27/2014, 10:25 PM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Nice I have the 50/50 gives off good shimmer but is way to white changes the color of the corals.

01/28/2014, 09:24 AM	#10
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	I played with one a little bit last night. with 1 250w on and both VHO superactinics on, I held 1 48" strip over the tank and could see the blue enhanced, and a bit of more pop. I imagine, with all 3 MH on, its going to wash out a lot of the blue, but I will probably still see some "pop" from the corals. Now, after the halides all went off, and it was just the old VHO tubes, then I held the 1 strip up again, and I saw corals and colors I never knew I had. it was amazing. I cant wait to get both strips up. ......although my wife is still shaking her head in disbelief that I paid so much for a bunch of little led lights __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

01/28/2014, 06:25 PM	#11
4bruceinc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 182	I ran two 36" XHOs with two 250 MHs for a year and never had an issue. I now run them with retrofitted T5s.

01/29/2014, 08:07 AM	#12
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	thanks, I am still nervous, but I guess its just not that big of a deal for the heat __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

01/29/2014, 08:26 AM	#13
4bruceinc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 182	I should add that heat has not been an issue for me because the canopy is ventilated pretty well. The back is open with four van tech fans and the sides and top are vented. When running MH, I kept my temp no higher than 78.5. With T5s, it does not rise above 77.5. Although I may keep my reef cooler than most, it is my understanding that all led strips need to be cooled. However, I do not know the threshold. I would suggest emailing Joy at reefbrite or ask Jeremy at Premium Aquatics.

01/29/2014, 08:32 AM	#14
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	thats probably a good idea to contact the manufacturer, as long as they dont give me the same generic warning thats on the stickers. My canopy does have a 12" x 2"vent hole, but no fans, and it builds up a lot of heat. I should put a temp gauge in there and measure to find out __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire