Metal Halides

[Curtycut]

Hi, my name is Curtis. I have a 75 gal tank with 2 10,000k bulbs 175 watts and the actinics. My question is , Are the 2 175 watt 10,000k bulbs good enough to grow hard corals and sps to where they will flourish? or are they to weak? my tank is 18 inches tall by 4 feet long. And 1 more question: how high should my lights be from the top of the water? I would like to grow some hard coral, but If I get some, I don't want them to be just staying alive, I want them to do really good, and Im just wondering if I need to get 250 watt ballast, or are my 175 watt ballast good enough to where they will flourish and do great?

 

[thelizardkin]

175 watts should be fine for growing sps at the top of the tank

 

[crvz]

welcome to RC. You should be able to get pretty good growth out of the 175 watt bulbs, particularly on an 18" tall tank. You may choose to put high light requiring stony corals higher in the rocks, but that should be the exception.

 

[the_real_brian]

Hi, my name is Curtis. I have a 75 gal tank with 2 10,000k bulbs 175 watts and the actinics. My question is , Are the 2 175 watt 10,000k bulbs good enough to grow hard corals and sps to where they will flourish? or are they to weak? my tank is 18 inches tall by 4 feet long. And 1 more question: how high should my lights be from the top of the water? I would like to grow some hard coral, but If I get some, I don't want them to be just staying alive, I want them to do really good, and Im just wondering if I need to get 250 watt ballast, or are my 175 watt ballast good enough to where they will flourish and do great?

If you're using 10,000k bulbs you should be able to grow anything you want as the PPFD on your average 175 watt 10,000k bulb is about the same as a the PPFD on your average 250 watt 14,000k bulb.

What kind of reflectors are you using? Something like the Lumenmax Elites will give you the most punch at depth and you don't have to have them right on top of the water.