should i downgrade 48" lights

[jubjub]

recently i bought a oddysea light fixture 48" its a 2x 250w(MH) and 4x65w with LED's and what not. i did this before researching enough and im getting the over all impression that its just to much light for my 55gallon. i kind of over did it. i pondered on using just 1 250w but thats off to one side so might look a lil strange..... the overall light distribution isnt the best then.

whats all your opinion...

if it is to much should i be looking for anyone who wants/needs and upgrade(to trade)? im thinking i should be really looking for probably 2x 150w MH fixture (i love the shimmer hehe) ....my fixture has not been used at all(except turned on to verify working order)

also on a side note anyone have a 55 gallon stand they would like to part with? cheaply hopefully....

 

[KMP]

one of the recommended mods on this light fixture is to swap out the ballast. coaralvue makes a dimmable 250w ballast that you can dim down to 181w (30%). something to consider, but you'd be in it for another $240.

 

[jubjub]

ouch! 241$ if i got 2 of those be more then i spent on the light fixture it self! lol...so yeah thats probably out of the question there

 

[KMP]

that'd be $240 for 2 ballasts. you can get them on ebay for $119 ea.

 

[bored4long]

It would probably be cheaper for you to buy a larger 4 foot tank than replace your lighting (if you decide to replace your lighting),

 

[MandM]

Yep, what you need is a bigger tank. The All-glass 120 reef-ready is just right. Still only 48" wide, it's just taller and twice as deep. I've been happy with mine.

 

[kevin95695]

Actually, you should give the lights to me and start over.

 

[jubjub]

well i have all the equipment for a 55gallon tank IE mag 9.5 corallife 65g skimmer and bulkheads and such thats why im kinda wanting to stick with a 55gallon..plus operating costs of a 120 would be astronomical i would think pumps/heats everything...and being my first tank setup..im not sure i wanna go total overboard...

 

[reefer334]

I have the same light setup on my 55 reef and it does fine and I do not have chiller either. I Just put the lights about 8.5 inches above the tank and I have a fan blowing into the air gap between the top of the tank and the light seems to work fine just adjust your corals to the light slowly.

 

[pv1191]

Didn't those MH Oddysea hoods have some eletrical problems and burn down some homes? I'm thinking Ebay for that hood!

BTW I have a 50g tru vu with stand and sump cheap. Email me if you are interested. pv1191@comcast.net

 

[kevin95695]

Those probs were with the magnetic ballasts. I'd bet he's got the electronic ballasts.

 

[dots]

There is never anything as too much lighting. You can always raise them, get lower performing bulbs, add a diffuser, or have them on a shorter photoperiod.

I don't know anything about the quality of the fixture itself, but if it is on the up and up, those lights will provide you enough flexibility to keep anything as you grow into the hobby.

It will suit you just fine and don't go to the 150's the bulb choices are limited and your won't have enough punch on the bottom.

I started with 150's and notice I don't have them now, there is a reason for it. But then again I keep SPS, have had clams and anenome and needed more. 150s would be excellent for an LPS tank, clams and anenome as well but may be limited on bottom placements.

 

[MrMikeB]

I am with Doug on this one. I don't think you can have too much lighting given your options with the photo period and moving corals higher or lower in the tank based on need. Most MHs will lose quite a bit of their initial impact within a couple months and I think you have more options with the current setup you have, assuming of course it is not the type that burns homes down.

 

[jubjub]

i dont think its the kind that burn down houses lol....its real new only like month or 2 old now....but thanks for the advice everyone i checked it out and i can probably get by with 1 250w MH bulb with out a problem and wanting the higher wattage one because i wanna keep clams eventually

 

[KMP]

if you want, i have the single 36" long 1 250w odyessea. i've even put in a phoenix 14k bulb. if you want to order that double 36" long 250w i'll pay you the difference and we can do an even swap. the fixture i have is new and sitting on my tank in the garage for my ongoing tank build. has yet to go into service.

 

[jeweldamsel]

If you are keeping sps, it is fine. If you are keeping corals that require less light, they might be too much. Either way heat will be an issue. One easy solution is to raise the light fixture. Good luck.

 

[Dave E]

I have the oddysea 48'' dual 175mh inside a 12'' hood and my house is still standing.I agree with Mike and Doug that you can raise it or use a defuser,place corals lower in the tank,etc.I wish I had gotten the 250's now the only thing I can due is buy a new one which my wife would kill me.

BUT if you really want the small mh I'll trade you LOL


Keep what you got because one day you will want more light!!!!

 

[pbetito]

I have the 250W version and it is 6 months old. I will sell it for 250 dollars total as I just upgraded. Thats 50% off!! It is 2 X 250W +4 X 55W attinic and led's. It is also the electric non magnetic ballasts. PM if you really want it.