MH question

[elm0]

I have a 46G bowfront i'm about to set up for a reef tank, and I've been researching lighting options. I hear that the MH are the best option for reef tanks, but the prices i've seen are just not in my budget.
I found this on ---- and it sounds good (based on my limited knowledge of MH) but I wanted some other opinions before I go and spend my money on something that isn't really what I need.
My tank has the black center brace on top so I'm thinking I would use two of these units, one on each side.
Gimme some advice.

 

[jhueb12]

From what i've read on this board most people dont believe in MH lighting on tanks under 55 gallons. This will cause heat problems due to the relatively low amount of water. The ballast, in order to help the heat diffusion, are better off placed away from the tank so excess heat cannot build up. If MH's are what you want than definately go with lower wattage starting at 175 watts. BTW can you give some dimensions of the tank? HTH

 

[robchuck]

Metal halide can certainly be used on smaller tanks as long as precautions are taken to control the heat absorbed by the tank from the lights. In fact there are several folks who have as much as 400W of MH over a tank as small as 250W.
You could very easily put 2x175W or 2x250W of MH over your 46 gallon bowfront. Take a look at this thread that Harlequinnut posted awhile ago about the MH he installed over his tank. There's some good stuff in there, especially concerning cooling.

 

[gregvabch]

i'm building a canopy for my 55 right now, 2 175W 10,000K XM bulbs powered by 2 175W icecap ballasts. then 2 48" 110W uri actinic VHO's, and some moonlights i built as well. i'll post some pics when i finish it soon. a guy on this board, Alex.M, lives by me, saw his tanks once, he's got a 54 corner bowfront and he was running a 400W 20,000K over it, looked very nice.