400w halide over a 50g cube

[lotsoftats]

I recently got a steal:

I got a 90g tank and stand a 75g tank and a 50g cube with stand along with 2 400w hamilton metal halide pendants..

I am wanting to setup the 50g cube 25x18x25. I know 1 of the 400w halides is overkill but I want to put one over the cube...I don't want the hassel of trying to trade them or selling them then having to buy new halides waiting for them to arrive.

How far over the tank should the pendant hang? since the halide is more for 30" deep tanks and the cube is 25" I was thinking around 12" above the tank would be finemaybe start around 18"-24" above the tank and work my way down to 12"

what do you think?

 

[lotsoftats]

back up top

 

[BLANKENSHIP76]

I would put it 18-24 inches off the tank or I would think you would boil the water.

 

[tkeracer619]

You will probably need a chiller. Start high and work your way down. I would atleast get some fans going across the water.

 

[Plankt0s]

yea get a few computer fans mounted to blow across the top of the water. Mount at 24"

 

[jbird69]

I have a 400w halide over my 50g 36x18x18. Its in an enclosed canopy (open back) with one tiny computer fan. the bulb is 8" off the water and I have no need for a chiller. My water is 78 at night and 79.5 at the highest during light cycle. I have another large fan installed that I never run but in the dog days of summer.

 

[lotsoftats]

thanks guys It may take me awhile to get the tank off the ground but I will start at 24" and see how far down I ca get before heat causes any issuses.

 

[BLANKENSHIP76]

Even at 24in with that bulb you will be able to keep anythig yuou want on the bottom of the tank.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

I ran a 400 on my 56 column tank. 12" above the water, in a canopy.

No problems.