Metal Halide

[blaine3119]

Looking to buy a retro kit 400 Watt metal halide kit, would this be ok by itself for a 55 gallon tank. Bulb that comes with kit is 400w, 20k. Would I also need antics or would this one light do it all?? Thanks for all the help.

 

[fishieness]

the 20000Ks are very blue, but not as blue as actinics. if you want more blue, then add them. it is all preference.
and a 400 watt halide will do well from top to bottom, but not for the entire tank. only about a 2 foot square. so you would need another one.

 

[ray28576]

Like stated b4, the 20K bulbs are very blue, IMO, 20K bulbs take color away from the tank, but like fishieness said, it is what ever you prefer. I like 10-14K myself. If you don't mind me asking, How much are you paying for the kit?

 

[moby]

Most kits offer the lights in a variety 20k through 10k. I would check and see if you get a choice.
Personally, I prefer the 15k. it seems to give the best color, but I may be the wrong guy to chime in since I'm color blind (not totally) and what I see is different from most folks.

Moby

 

[blaine3119]

Originally Posted by Ray28576
Like stated b4, the 20K bulbs are very blue, IMO, 20K bulbs take color away from the tank, but like fishieness said, it is what ever you prefer. I like 10-14K myself. If you don't mind me asking, How much are you paying for the kit?
There is a business over in greenwood that sells the 400 Watt for 110.00 and he has a 175 Watt kit for 90.00. I guess I will get 2 of the 175 Watt kits, I think 800 Watts would be too much don't you. Also, the 175 Watt kit comes with a 10K bulb.

 

[ray28576]

I would definitly go with the 175 watts kits. You might even want to get 3 of them if you can afford it.

and if they will fit your tank. Or you might look in to getting some actinic PC lights to go with the MH.

Also, what is the business in Greenwood? Do you know if it is around the Uncle Bills Petshop there?

 

[blaine3119]

Originally Posted by Ray28576
I would definitly go with the 175 watts kits. You might even want to get 3 of them if you can afford it.

and if they will fit your tank. Or you might look in to getting some actinic PC lights to go with the MH.

Also, what is the business in Greenwood? Do you know if it is around the Uncle Bills Petshop there?

Inside Sun Co. 1272 Ridge Top Dr. Greenwood IN 46142. I went to Indy Saturday and tried to find uncle bill's, but ran into some construction on 38th street, got lost, and never found Uncle Bill. I am going back down to Indy Friday, so I will try again.