too much lighting?

[princesuhaib]

Hey guys, I have got an offer for 2 Hamilton Reefstar 400 watt SE MH pendents with 12k sunburst bulbs about a month old.

Now I was thinking of getting rid of my * 48" 260 watt Power Compac lighting (4-65 watt) 21" Straight Pin bulbs with led lunar lights. and get both of these and suspend them from the ceiling?

800/75=10.6W/gal

Or should I buy one of them and keep my light kit?

660/75=8.8W/gal



or get rid of mine and only have one Hamilton 400 W

400/75=5.3W/Gal

Thank You

 

[gooyferret]

You will want 2 MH on a 75 reef tank. If your wanting to get SPS and other corals you will need both. IF its a good deal get them.

 

[Dante_JoseCuerv]

Hmmmm, those 400w MHs can penetrate really deep into a tank. I mean I've seen big tanks up to almost 30" using only 250w bulbs and those are still really really bright. I'd say stick with a single 400w unless you plan on upgrading because having 2 400w MHs over a tank that small will mostly likely burn corals.

 

[1blackchicken]

I would think you should be ok. You would just definitely have to take your time acclimating your tank that much light and you would probably want to have them a little higher over your tank instead of close to the water. That is what I am looking to do to my tank right now. I have a 110 that I am looking to put 2 400w lights over. (still saving up). If it is a good deal the I would for sure go for it. If it turns out to be to powerful for you then you could always trade down.

 

[Dante_JoseCuerv]

Yeah, I mean if you're getting a good deal then I say jump on it! Just be sure to acclimate your creatures, a single 400w MH is a LOT of light.

 

[vr697getta]

i say go for it get a good 14 or 20k bulb and take your time to acclimate the lights for the corals i went from pcs to 250 mh. i kept my light as high as i could and slowly went from 5 to 8 hours a day. aslo what corals do you have if you can place them low in the tank.

 

[ct_vol]

Going from PC's to a 400w MH is a HUGE jump... You'd likely shock your system making such a drastic change...

1 MH will not be enough coverage on a 4 ft tank no matter how intense the bulb...

I'd either go with 2 x 150/175/250w mh, T5's, or just stick with what you have...

 

[Fireworm]

I agree, 400w bulbs on a 75 will be a bit much. I had 2 400w radiums on my 90, and I had great color. However, I bleached some of my sps. It was to intense for my 90. I got great growth though.

 

[adambirk]

i also agree with most that that is going to be way to much light. you said that you have a pc ficture with 260 watts so i am guessing you are not keeping any high light corals. and if you switch over two 2 400 watters you will most likely fry the corals that you have in there now even if you are carefull aclimating them. if they are a sweet deal grab them up then trade them for a nice 2 250 watt system with some t5 attinics. just my opinion.

 

[DT's_Reef]

Not to mention the extra cost of electricity of 2x400w, yikes.

 

[redfishsc]

On a 75 gallon, I wouldn't bat an eye at growing SPS under 2 150w DE bulbs (with 2 or 4 T5 supplements) so long as I got good reflectors on everything.

250's would be a more sure bet, though.


400's would not only (IMO) be overkill but also be a drain on your electric bill.

 

[Hammsreefbeer]

i say go for it,I run 2x 400w 20k Heilio's over my tank for almost 2 years.they are roughly 12" from water line.
As far as cost,,,I live in so-cal and it cost me about $35 to run the whole system.my bill is 130 a month and thats also with a 1000g koi pond.
just make sure you have a good ballast.good luck!!!

 

[das75]

would also ask: to much heat?

 

[MikeFisher1972]

400

400

couldnt he put in 250w MH bulbs in to the 400w ballast ?
if it is that good of a deal and you plan to up grade then get them.
you also have the option to run only one and put it on a track run it from 1 side to the other side.

dont know about using the 250 w bulb if it would over drive the bulb or not or if it would save you money in the energy bill.
may be some one that has done this can chime in.

 

[Hammsreefbeer]

yes like das75 said,,heat,heat.its hot as hell when you open my canopy.you can run fans,i use 2 4" ice cap's on the canopy.During the summer months my MH's turn on at 4pm-10pm,PC'S 1 hour before and after.

one good thing w/ going 400 is never have to worry about upgrade!:eek2:

 

[jerryz]

75 gal 2 400W 20K . With growth through the roof. The only real problem is new introductions to the tank have light shock and acclimate slowly

 

[DarG]

IF it really is a good deal, You could always sell the ballasts and possibly the bulbs, buy 175w watt or 250 watt ballasts and 175 or 250 watt bulbs. The fixture has mogul sockets so 175 watt or 250 watt SE lamps screw right in.

 

[MikeFisher1972]

again

again

what about him putting 250w MH bulbs in the 400w ballast?
over driving or not it is still a 250 bulb.
what kind of top do you have is it open or closed.
can you run fans whith the lights up high?

 

[DarG]

Re: again

Re: again

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15039794#post15039794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MikeFisher1972
what about him putting 250w MH bulbs in the 400w ballast?
over driving or not it is still a 250 bulb.
what kind of top do you have is it open or closed.
can you run fans whith the lights up high?

Need to match the ballast to the lamp with metal halide.

 

[princesuhaib]

wow this thread spread like wild fire, Its crazy 1/2 say yes 1/2 say its over kill. All I know is yes electricity bill will be much higher, it will also be hot! I must acclimate them very slowly cause it would shock em. I still have not bought them until i get advice from you guys, and thank you so much for the great response. I am thinking If i buy them I can always get rid of them for something more suitable for my tank and what not! I was gonna try to suspend them from the ceiling. I will keep you notified. Thank You all