400 watt metal halide

[toonman]

hello, I have a question. I have a 14000k 400 watt metal halide light retro. my question is, will this one light 12" from the water surface be enough light to cover a 75gal (L=48" D=18" H=20") tank and be able to keep clams and hard corals? I currently have the oddysea 260 watt pc. I was thinking about gutting it out and combining it with the metal halide. I'm just limited on room.
thanks.

 

[yeffre kix]

I'd say it will work fine for light hungry corals as long as you keep them towards the middle under the brightest light. It will cause an uneven look to your tank with the outer edges being darker and increasing into the middle where the bulb is. I think two 250's would be better for even coverage but what you already have will work without the added expense of a new fixure.

 

[teen]

Originally Posted by Yeffre Kix
I'd say it will work fine for light hungry corals as long as you keep them towards the middle under the brightest light. It will cause an uneven look to your tank with the outer edges being darker and increasing into the middle where the bulb is. I think two 250's would be better for even coverage but what you already have will work without the added expense of a new fixure.
i agree. go for 2x 250w MH if you can. it will spread the light more evenly and look a lot better imo.