MH question

[ravedood]

I have one 400 Watt MH setup and was planning on installing it on my 55 tank. Is that over kill? If I put it high enough will it be ok?

 

[fishyfish91202]

Coverage may be an issue. You may not get much light at the ends of the tank. Bright as heck in the middle!

 

[racermike27]

That is a lot of light over a single 55. Is this a 55 long or a 50 breeder?

I imagine if it is high enough it would work but you would be wasting electricity IMO. Plus a 400 gives off more heat than a 250 or 175, even if it is high enough, the ambient air temp would increase. It would be possible though I think. Are you going to have it mounted in the center of the tank over the center brace? If so I think would get a nasty shadow and you might "cook" the brace.

 

[ravedood]

Yea it is standard 48" long tank. I would have to build a taller canopy to create enough distance so i dont cook my corals.

I'd like to trade it for a 2 175 MH setup but I cant seem to find anyone. If you guys know of anyone LMK.

 

[fishyfish91202]

two 175s would be much better...

 

[compulou]

And dual 150's probably even better still. But two bulbs on a 48" tank is a must.

 

[ravedood]

Yes I would prefer that even better. So if you guys know someone who is selling or wants to trade an MH setup please let me know

 

[Young Frankenstein]

I recently changed to 2x400 I have 2 magnetic ballasts 175w used, for sale or trade, with mogul bases.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

no box

 

[Young Frankenstein]

but personally I would stay with the single 400, I wrote a thread about a week ago, to why 400 is better than 2x175, you can doit, and just balance the tank properly, ex softies on the sides and sps in the center. All will be in heaven

 

[ravedood]

what price do you want for the 2 magnetic ballasts 175w. where did you place the 400w lamp? In the center or on one side? what distance do you have between the lamp and the surface of the water?

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Dont let the MH heat scare you, they desipate the same heat as T5, I know allot of people are gone jump on this statement, but its true The diffrence is the heat is concentrated in one spot, and further more it penetrates the water way better and generate some heat there also, from reflection on rocks etc. Anyway you have to be handy to do this and also build your reflectors, $ 50 for both ballasts. The light bulbs are 9" off the water and I have fans, the fans are controled from controllers and theres a total of 6

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12575566#post12575566 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Young Frankenstein
Dont let the MH heat scare you, they desipate the same heat as T5, I know allot of people are gone jump on this statement, but its true The diffrence is the heat is concentrated in one spot, and further more it penetrates the water way better and generate some heat there also, from reflection on rocks etc. Anyway you have to be handy to do this and also build your reflectors, $ 50 for both ballasts. The light bulbs are 9" off the water and I have fans, the fans are controled from controllers and theres a total of 6

finally a post with some sense at least the first statement.
No beers this morning.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12575807#post12575807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
finally a post with some sense at least the first statement.
No beers this morning.

Manolo no I switched to a morning coffee with a shot of windex. :beachbum: :smurf:

 

[gasman059]

LMAO! good one