400 watt MH

[pirate_bob]

Well I'm getting ready to build my canopy and put MH in it... I'm thinking a 400 watt ballast so when I upgrade my tank I don't have to wurry about lighting...
I have a 29 gallon right now... is 400 just to much for the livestock in a 29?
i'm thinking 400watt 20000k radium's

 

[slick]

It may be a little high. What do you plan on keeping in there? The reason I ask is if your doing it because you want sps corals. I think you might be ok with a 250w. You should try to ask Big Mac or some of the other sps guys.

 

[pirate_bob]

Honestly I'm not sure what I want to keep yet... I want something strong enough to keep whatever but I also want it strong enough to move it over to my 150 gallon when the time comes to set that one up..

 

[gatorcsm]

If Big Mac gets to this post (or to anyone who has a similar setup, or just has an opinion..) one more question for yah on the lighting question; In a AGA 90g, what is the minimum for frogspawn/hammer/torch and stuff like that? I don't have any corals yet but have 440w VHO; My wife likes clams, but everyone says MH for clams. Would it be necessary/very beneficial to supplement with some MH? If so, what wattage if I were to add two in front of my vho on either side? How many hours should they be left on to do what they need to do for corals/clams/etc.?
Thanks!

 

[pirate_bob]

thats what i was hoping to do.. was buy the 400 so i could then use it on my next tank... i just wasn't sure if it was to powerful....
i haven't seen where to buy the electronic 400w ballast but i have seen the magnetic ones...
does it matter which ones?
if you need to post a site my email is
mbyrne2@buckeye-express.com

 

[pirate_bob]

Do they even make electronic ballasts for 400watts... I can't seem to find any over the internet...

 

[pirate_bob]

Well what do people think of the PFO ballast??? Are they of quality brand or should I go w/ the Icecaps?

 

[cap'n pete]

You say you want to be able to upgrade to a 150G, which you would need at least 2x400W (one bulb every 2 feet). There are dual 400W ballasts, but I am unsure if you can run them with only one bulb. Raising the bulb on a pendant may be feasable on a 29G. Still kinda overkill and a drain on the ol' electric bill. Why not just get the 150G now? You know bigger is better!

 

[pirate_bob]

Well I live on the second floor in my apartment.... Land lord wouldn't let me have it and I wouldn't trust the floor w/ it... So had to go w/ my smaller tank.k