Would 2-400watt m halides be to bright??

[Bsmith_SigEp]

Technical question i need help with please.......i was looking into buying 2-400 watt metal halide lights and ballast from a good sale from a friend and my uncle told me that these lights would be to bright for my 75 gallon tank and would burn up my corals probably......any specs on this? i really need some new lights besides my VHO's.....thought this would be a good upgrade...but i wanna get whats right and correct.... all help would be appreciated....Thanks...

 

[CvilleReef]

With the right reflector 1 - 400w would be plenty for a SPS heavy 75g but two is kinda overkill .... but if the price is too good to pass up just do a little more planning when setting up ( higher mounting, more airflow around the bulbs, shorter photoperiod , etc.. )

 

[OneReef]

Ive seen 400 watters on a 75g run successfully before, but its WAY more than needed in my opinion. Ive run 150w halides on a 75g with success before with mostly SPS. Here is a picture of 150w halides over my old 75g with SPS:

 

[MPDBullitt]

I'd say that's way overkill running two of them....i plan on running 2-400w 14k with Hamilton Cabo style reflectors but my tank is 72x24 and 30" tall. Depends on how good a deal it is

 

[yogotti]

I have two lumenarc reflectors with two vortex 400 watt ballast for sale for 200.00 obo if interested call 901-734-1322.

 

[Larson]

I agree 400 is a bit overkill, I've seen it done. I've also seen a single 400 over a 75 left intentionally shady on the sides for corals that like very little light . It would need to be raised a good bit off the tank 10-12 in from surface of the water. 2 x 250's would be a better option but 2 x 175 will do a 75 since it's only about 22 in deep empty.

 

[Reef264]

What is the height/depth of the tank?