Research continued, tank placement and budget...

[Temujin]

First, I would like to thank WaterKeeper for the '101' and other Reefkeeping articles. They've given me valuable insight. Now on to the questions...

I know where I want to put my 90 gallon tank but there is a problem. It will be near the thermostat for the dwelling's AC/Heat. My concern is that the heat from the aquarium lights will play havoc with the thermostat and leave me in all sorts of uncomfortable situations during winter and summer months. Would it be wise of me to relocate the thermostat before ordering/installing the tank? Or can I get by with proper directed airflow in the canopy?

Second and somewhat related to the first: lighting. Now, I don't want to get into a debate about what's best between this or that. I am concerned with long-term budget planning with regards to the lighting. I have been researching these LED setups and found that they consume 40% less energy and run much cooler than the alternative(s). This is appealing to me. Problem is, the unit that would fit my tank is $3000+ and i'm not sure I want to get in that deep into something I may lose interest in (there is always the possibility, however unlikely). Now, I know MH and T5 bulbs will have to be replaced + the cost of the initial investment. What i'm getting at is, how many times will the lights have to be replaced over x amount of time and how long before those maintenance costs approach or exceed the much larger upfront investment in LED?

Thanks!

Tem

[aquawolf]

You are asking a couple of very good questions. Your lighting choice could definitely have an impact on your thermostat depending on how much heat they put out and how close they actually are to it. With the proper lighting choice and circulation through the canopy, you might not need to move the thermostat but that is relevant to your next question.

On the safe side, you can expect Metal Halide bulbs to last for 1 year. Usually Power Compacts can last 18 months, but I change mine yearly as well, one month after the halides. I have no experience with VHO but would anticipate the same lifespan. I have read that the Solaris LED's have a lifespan of 11 years before they may need to be replaced.

So, what you need to look at is what lighting fixture, or retrofit, you were planning on getting and the cost of that. Then check the cost of replacement bulbs over an 11 year period and see what makes the most sense. All the while keeping in mind the heat factor.

For example, on my 75 reef I have a 48" Coralife Aqualight Pro with 2 150 watt MH and 2 96 watt PC actinics. A quick search found this unit on sale for $730 before shipping. I just replaced my bulbs a couple of months ago and spent $120 on the halides and $90 on the PC's for a total cost of $210, not including shipping. So, over a 10 year period I will spend around $2100 on replacement bulbs plus the cost of the original fixture for a total of $2800 - $2900.

So, $3000 is not that bad when you look at it that way except that I get to space my expenditures out yearly where you could get it done in one shot.

Also, the metal halides give off a good amount of heat even at only 150 watts and it could definitely impact your thermostat where PC, VHO, and the LED might not.

Long winded I know, but I hope it helps.