I think I made a mistake in buying MH

[wildcats]

Hi there,
I bought a PFO dual 250w metal halide system...but now I'm thinking it might be over kill for my tank. The tank is only 36" long X 20" high X 18" deep, it's a 65 gallon. It might be too much light!!! What do you think??? I will be using the MH with my 2 No lights.... Please give me your advice!!!!
Thanks
Wildcat

 

[sharkbyte1023]

Well...what are you planning on keeping in the tank? I use 175's on my soft tanks but i also have softs and lps corals in with 250's and all my acros are lit with 400's Depending on your canopy...you will run into a problem with heat. If you can give me an idea on what you are planning on keeping and the type of enclosure you are going to use for the lights i will be glad to give you advice on my experiences with them. Best of luck.

 

[ironreef]

most corals willl ike the light if you acclimate them correctly. I've seen 29g tanks with 250w mainly sps. But my green sinularia is @6" away from the halides. Heat maybe the only concer. If you have fans in the canopy and heat isn't an issue. i think 250w in a 3' tank is nice lighting for spsand clams. even softies. I would only house one or the other, IMO it will create less stress when the corals get over a foot long. I've seen 40g breeder with 2 400w and 4 110w vho =sps tank. Its not the light its what you keep.

 

[mlm]

You can get 4 inch fans at Radio Shak for 25 dollars. You just have to make a plug for them.

 

[wildcats]

I Plan on keeping a little bit of everything...soft...clams...etc...
My hood is made from wood. It's a big box...i do have two 4" fans. One pulling air in and the other blowing out. Oh yeah the back of the hood is open, if that helps.