too much light?

[thejrc]

So I nabbed a 400W mogul base metal halide rig from the scrap pile during a bunch of warehouse work at a clients and I'm kinda pumped to get it working. It's got a multi tap transformer so going to 120V isnt a problem... the odd one though is that it's 400 Watts.... if I plop this thing over my 72 bowfront along with my existing 260W power compact rig will I be overdoing it?

I was thinking of Going with maybe a 70 or 175W MH on just one side and letting the PC's cover the tank in full, that way I have a brighter side for clams and what not and a dimmer side for things that just dont want to sit in full sun all day long. But the free 400W rig was just too good to pass up.

any thoughts?

 

[reefkoi]

I think doing MH on one side and just PC on the other will look bad. It is two different light types and it will look unbalanced.
I say do the 400 and offset it a bit to get that effect you want but only offset it enough to create a brighter side but not so far that it looks like a bulb is out on one side.

You could do a 250Watt but if the 400 is free I say why not, but then again I'm not normal and don't follow the rules very well

 

[lfduty]

Im with reefkoi

 

[Huhhhhh]

You got to think outside the box here people.

I say it's a good reason to set up another tank.

 

[thejrc]

I was mulling the nother tank over as well, or tossing it over my 20L and having a high light tank..... (what is that like 20 watts per gallon?). Spent a good amount of time yesterday building a custom hood, came out nice but I dont like it.... Still cant figure out how to fit everything in as the MH is just too big and the hood makes the tank stand too tall in the room for my taste.

so it goes into the garage to sit until I either figure a way to use it, find someone who has a smaller ballast and socket to trade, or have the funds to set up another tank...

now I'm just depressed... time to go to seascapes and look at inverts..... gah

 

[aquaman2000]

If the reflector is to large for canopy, simply get a smaller reflector. 20 Watts/gallon of MH on a 20L is a bit excessive, you will need a chiller to say the least. Not to mention around 150 times per turn over rate unless the 400 is two or three feet off the tank. I would expect that you would have great luck with very high flow and light corals if you can maintain the temp.

 

[thejrc]

hmmm.... now I just gotta find a free chiller.......

 

[Rocmtnreef]

The new lighting ought to keep your clams happy and the chiller will keep them cool. Just right temp = Happy Clam..
Free chiller = clip on fan's