Lighting on 55 G tank

[wswensonjr]

I currently have a 55G 48"Lx13"Wx20"H acrylic tank. I just purchased my lighting from my uncle bc he had it laying around and not using it anymore. So i only paid 250.00 for the unit great price. Well it has 2x400W 20K Metal Halide(this unit can handle three) and two T5. So I was wondering if this was over kill on my tank?

I can order a new ballast and bulbs bc the sockets are the same with the 250W but I am looking at about another $200-$250 dollars. So I really would like some help on this

Thanks for everyones time

 

[wswensonjr]

BUMP

 

[hahnmeister]

That amount is what I would use on a 120g, or perhaps even a 180g (as long as its eurobraced so having two lights doesnt mean they sit right above the plastic cross-braces if a AGA style, or, you don mention that it can use 3...so a 180g is right on). That is waaaaaaay overkill. I use a single 400watt pendant over my 60 cube by comparison, and close to 1000watts over a 55g is just crazy. There will of course be some that tell you that it can be done, and that is true, but why???

A great setup for a 55g would be a 6x54wattT5 Tek light. Thats up to 324 watts of T5 power... plenty for a 55g and still light on the electric bill. Halides on such a long and narrow tank are a bit of a waste.... one cant cover 4' in length, and two 250watters even are a bit much just because they have alot of wasted output from front to back. Thats why T5s are ideal for a 55g...long and narrow.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

This is way overkill:eek1: !

depending on the shape of the reflector you might be able to put 2x 250Watt MH on it. I have a MH fixture that is only 10" wide over my 29G (30Wx 18H x 12 D) and everything is doing great.

See if someone will trade the ballasts for 250Watters, all the rest of the hardware is the same.

Waffleman

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7886547#post7886547 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by belgian_waffleman
This is way overkill:eek1: !

depending on the shape of the reflector you might be able to put 2x 250Watt MH on it. I have a MH fixture that is only 10" wide over my 29G (30Wx 18H x 12 D) and everything is doing great.

See if someone will trade the ballasts for 250Watters, all the rest of the hardware is the same.

Waffleman

Its not a way overkill. Just don't put soft corals, and mushrooms in there.

 

[55semireef]

I am going to have to say its to much light. If you could get it to 10 watts a gallon it would be better.

 

[wswensonjr]

OK thanks for all the help guys. I have one more question if I was to put the 400W bulb in the middle socket of the fixture do you think that it would work ok. If i keept the more light demanding coral in the middle then the ones that don't need that much light on the sides? Just a thought. I do plan on upgrading my tank and the new tank that I am getting it going to be 233G 60Lx30Wx30H. So I think then I will have the proper lighting so if I can just put one 400W bulb in the middle for now I would love for that to work. I would like others opions though before I go and do this.

Once again thanks for the help everyone
Walter

 

[wswensonjr]

BUMP

 

[theatrus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7887546#post7887546 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wswensonjr
OK thanks for all the help guys. I have one more question if I was to put the 400W bulb in the middle socket of the fixture do you think that it would work ok. If i keept the more light demanding coral in the middle then the ones that don't need that much light on the sides? Just a thought. I do plan on upgrading my tank and the new tank that I am getting it going to be 233G 60Lx30Wx30H. So I think then I will have the proper lighting so if I can just put one 400W bulb in the middle for now I would love for that to work. I would like others opions though before I go and do this.

Once again thanks for the help everyone
Walter

You'll get a nasty shadow from the tanks center brace.

 

[hahnmeister]

You will most likely MELT the tank's center brace...lol.

 

[wswensonjr]

the tank is an acrylic tank so no worries about a center brace

 

[theatrus]

In that case, provided you push the bulb up high enough to cover the 4" span, it should be doable. It is a lot of light. I recommend a 20k bulb if you have the option.

 

[wswensonjr]

Yes all of the 400W bulbs that I have are 20K. Now saying that if I was to use two on bulbs on either end would that work if i had it about 1-11/2ft off of the tank ?????

Thanks for all the help guys

 

[wswensonjr]

Also that lighting is able to be moved up(higher off the tank) or down(closer to the tank) as it is hanging