Lighting question

[omreardon]

I currently have a 39 watt x 4 bulb T5 light that is going to go over my 46 gallon, 21" deep tank. I have been offered a 250 watt metal halide pendant from a friend in AL if I want it. Can/should I use both over this tank or is that a bad idea? Would the T5 light block too much of the halide or would enough of the halide light get around to do some good? Or is it even worth the trouble of hanging it?

Thought?

Olivia

 

[fishdoc11]

How wide is the tank from front to back and what types of corals do you plan to keep?
My initial thought is that the T5's should be fine.

 

[ct_vol]

A single 250w MH doesn't work the best for coverage on a 3' tank... The sides end up a bit too dark... I'd stick with the T5's you already have... That being said, I prefer MH's... lol

 

[omreardon]

The tank is a 46 bow front so it is around 18" wide in the middle and narrower at the ends.

I would like to keep softies, LPS and maybe an easy SPS in the upper reaches of the tank.

So you don't think the halide would add anything? It was an offer that I hate to turn down if it would be a better option in the long run.

Olivia

 

[fishdoc11]

With what you plan to keep I think the T5's will do just fine (especially if you have individual reflectors). No need to use a halide (and the extra heat, possibility of adding a chiller etc..) if you don't have too IMO. I do think that corals generally do a bit better under halides but they do very well under T5's too. It will likely also be a night mare trying to get the lights like you want them over a bowfront.

 

[omreardon]

Thanks everyone,

I'll just stick with what I have then and not worry about the halides.

Olivia