Cloud Cover?

[Brian]

I've been thinking about trying to do a "cloud cover" with my Metal Halides.

What I would do is have my AC jr shut down one out of the 3 of my halides for about a hour each day.

I'm hoping this helps with the heat a little bit in the summer, plus it gives me something to play with since my tank has been pretty self sufficient lately (knock on wood!)

Will this reduce the life of the ballasts or bulbs? Does anyone think this will actually help with heat or electricity costs? (3 Electronic Ballasts - (2) ARO and (1) IceCap)

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Phyl]

Trop puts a piece of styrofoam in the tank and lets it float around. I thought that was clever.

 

[Treadingwater]

I'm not sure how much it would help with the heat. I noticed on my tank it takes a few hours after the mh's shut off for it to cool down and it won't start cooling until all three mh's have shut off. (My mh's are time to go one one at a time and go off one at a time with one hour intervals in between each). Even having one of the mh's on is enough to keep the tank at relativly the same temp.

I can't really tell you about bulb or ballest life as this is my first time using them.

 

[Carlo]

I'm now doing this with different lights (actinics and PCs) but so far I leave the halides on. I'm about to do the same thing with moonlight intensity based on info I pull from current Fiji weather conditions using an X10 dimmer.

Carlo

 

[jimroth]

Disco smoke machine, mounted in the canopy.

 

[jazzsam]

Just get the Solaris............

I actually found out that is why it did not seem so bright. My percentage of cloud cover was way too high. It brightens up from time to time but you need to adjust that.

 

[ham]

i'll second that jazz solares

 

[Phyl]

I'll need to see that solaris in person again then, Sam. I was so underimpressed with it when we saw it at Sam's house last! Glad to know you can turn the cloud cover down!

 

[Carlo]

I'm not sure I'm "sold" on LEDs yet. I've been reading where people are starting to notice pinhole burn marks on some coral. It seems like the light beam isn't diffused enough at the top of the tank.

Anyone else reading anything about this yet?

Carlo

 

[Brian]

I have heard that Moonlight LEDs can bleach SPS. I haven't noticed it in my tank though...

Sooooo....No thoughts on ballast/lamp life with this idea?

 

[jazzsam]

I'll need to see that solaris in person again then, Sam. I was so underimpressed with it when we saw it at Sam's house last! Glad to know you can turn the cloud cover down!

Yea, I am still not 100% on them but I am liking them more and more every day. It just takes some getting used to when you lights dim in the middle of looking at something. My acros are not that happy right now but I am moving things around and we will see how it works out after that.

 

[Phyl]

So give her a go, Brian! As long as you aren't turning them on and off in rapid fire succession you shouldn't impact their life much. We don't use the bulbs for their full "till they burn out" life anyway, and I doubt it will have a profound impact on their color spectrum change timing. Be great to save that bit on the electric bill over time. Every little bit helps, right?!