[02redZ28]

2 400watt 10000k german bulbs with twin phillips T-12 40 watt ultra actinics

Will this be too much over a 55 gallon? If so I have an 85 and 150 at my disposal as well. I have an icecap 660 over my cichlids in the 150.. but the MH would make me change it... what a waste huh.. I will have the 55 at my disposal in about 2 months.

 

[wingsfan]

I dont think it is too much in my opinion. With that lighting you would be able to keep anything you want.

 

[Jimbob]

Suntan lotion or shades anyone? [8D] The 400 is a bit much over a 55G but so long as you keep them 12-14" off the surface of the water, you'll be OK. This will assuredly be too much light for almost all LPS corals unless you have them nearly completely shaded by a rock or some other form of cover. Most SPS and clams will do well in this light. If you want more choices for variety in the system, you would be better served by 250W IMHO.

 

[02redZ28]

I'm not a big fan of LPS corals anyway. The purpose would be to keep SPS and clams. My 20gal is my LPS and softy tank)

 

[Clayton]

If it's SPS that you want, then the 400's should be just fine. If you don't already have the lights, have you considered picking up 250 watt double-ended HQI's instead? They run much cooler and on less electricity while putting out an equivalent amount of light. They really seem to be where it's at for the future of metal halide lighting.

-Clayton

 

[02redZ28]

They have the same intensity with the lower wattage?

 

[Clayton]

Yup. Pretty nifty, huh?

-Clayton

 

[hjmtv]

My concern would be heat build-up. How are you housing the mh's? If your in a canopy over the 55 there will be a lot of heat that would need to be moved via fans or your going to boil your water. A pendant style would help but some don't like that look. I would say 2 bulbs over a 150 is not enough due to length, you would have some dark spots if you just went with the 2. Maybe setting up the 85 is your best bet.

 

[02redZ28]

Either way I go, I will be suspending the MH and florescents about 12 inches over the water. There was never a plan for a closed canopy with such a small volume of water. The top of the tank will not be covered and will have two 4" fans pushing air across the surface. The tank is also in my 68F basement.

I have thought about the 85, but the sump I have is not designed for that large a tank. I could make one though. If I did the 150, I would be modifying my VHO system to work in conjunction with the MH.

 

[hjmtv]

Sounds like you have the heat handled!! Post up some pics when you get it all set up (if you are able)

 

[02redZ28]

Will do.. but I am having wiring problems. TOO MANY TANKS on only two 15 amp circuits. Ive been meaning to modify to GFI plugs so maybe when I wire in a new set of plugs I'll finaly get around to that.

It should be done by Julyish...

I'm now thinking two 250watt HQI MH because they seem easier to hide up in a suspended style hood. Does anyone have any direct experience with HQI systems?

 

[Clayton]

A bit. We're carrying some at the store. We're going to be installing a set on one of our tanks as a display pretty soon. The tank that they're going on is 8 foot by four foot and it will ultimately be served by four 250 watt HQI's that will move back and forth on two light rails. It's really going to be sweet. I have the equipment in to install the first rail with two of them, but it's been so disgustingly busy at the store that I haven't even been able to finish unpacking our regular shipments, let alone install lights. We've already installed HQI's on a few customers' tanks and I've sold a few set-ups to customers who have installed them themselves. They're really easy to set up and everyone that has bought them has fallen in love with them. By the way, unlike standard metal halides, you can do these three to four inches above the water instead of eight to ten. In addition to the 250 watt HQI's, I'm also working on getting 150 watters in. That's on my plate for Friday or early next week. For those who are curious, they are selling at $690 for a dual set up with the ballast, reflectors, and 10K Ushios included. A single light set-up is running $400.

-Clayton

 

[02redZ28]

maybe ill stop out.. sent you pm clayton

 

[Clayton]

Cool. When you stop by, ask for myself, Steve O., or Steve H. Steve O. is the fishroom manager and has worked on some of the ones that we installed. Steve H. has a 150 watter on his tank at home, so he knows plenty about them. One of the three of us is almost always there, especially in the evenings.

-Clayton

 

[mhltcob]

If its heat your worried about, i have a 150 hqi de in a pfo hood over my 20 gal built into a canopy. It produces virtually no heat. in fact i installed two fans when i was building the canopy that i dont use because i dont need them. my only regret is not buying the 250 watt.

 

[02redZ28]

It works that well huh....I need to do some bargan shopping then.

 

[cbonito]

quote

Originally posted by hjmtv

My concern would be heat build-up. How are you housing the mh's? If your in a canopy over the 55 there will be a lot of heat that would need to be moved via fans or your going to boil your water. A pendant style would help but some don't like that look. I would say 2 bulbs over a 150 is not enough due to length, you would have some dark spots if you just went with the 2. Maybe setting up the 85 is your best bet.

</blockquote id="quote">

The above advice is good...

Heat from the 400 watt bulbs over a 55 gallon will be a lot. The light output would be finne for SPS though.

 

[Clayton]

Hey, 02redZ28, let me know what you come up with. I think that our prices are really good for what you're getting (Sunlight Supply), but I wanted to check up on them anyway. I dug around on the internet and couldn't find ANY other places to get the exact same system we're offering. I'm not saying that they're not out there, but I sure didn't see any. And, of course, you have to remember shipping. I have to imagine that shipping those ballasts would be reasonably expensive.

-Clayton