Lighting question

[johnny84]

I am trading in my Current USA power compact lights for a 36" Metal Halide lighting system. It has 1 - 175 watt Halide, 2-blue actinic lights and 4 lunar lights, do you guys think this is enough light to house a reef in a 55 gallon tank??
Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[reefnut]

If the 55g 36"???? If it's a standard 48" tank you need 2-MHs... one for every two feet.

 

[johnny84]

It is a 55 gallon corner tank. I have a 36" compact light on it now. Anything bigger then 36" will not fit, it will be too big.

 

[reefnut]

Gotcha, how deep is it??

 

[johnny84]

Originally Posted by ReefNut
Gotcha, how deep is it??

Good question, I am not sure how deep it is, I am at work and cant measure it. But I have read that you should have 5 watts per gallon. If that is true that would mean I need a total of 275 watts. The Halide system I am getting will be a total of 310 watts. According to that, this system should be ok for my set up. Whatcha think ?

 

[reefnut]

The "watts per gallon" thing doesn't apply to MHs... if anything.
The rule of thumb for MHs is...
18" deep or less - 175w
24" deep or less - 250w
24" deep or deeper - 400w
But, it really depends on the corals you are wanting to keep. For light demanding corals and other light demanding inverts I'd go with a 250w.

 

[johnny84]

ok thanks for your help, once I get the Halide system can I change the halide bulb to a 250watt bulb??

 

[thegrog]

Originally Posted by Johnny84
ok thanks for your help, once I get the Halide system can I change the halide bulb to a 250watt bulb??
Only if you have a 250 watt ballast. The bulb wattage and ballast wattage MUST match, else you will blow them out.

 

[johnny84]

I just measured how deep my tank is and its around 20" deep. So the 175watt Halide should be good right ?

 

[reefnut]

Personally I'd go with a 250w. Again it depends on the corals... if you keep the light demanding critters high on the rocks and the less light demanding critters lower then it should be ok.

 

[jimmy06]

Hey how did your light thing work out???
I am currently trying to decide which way to go with mine. I also have a 54 corner bow but will be putting on a canopy to hide lights. Not to much room up there

I will be shooting for 400 w if I can squeeze it in...