Want MH.... But need Some advise

[xxchris060]

First off I don't know I can get them because my canopy is only 5" off the water. But if that not a Problem please direct me into what size i should get. I don't think i would need big one's but don't know. I would like to have two Mh on each side of the tank. Right now i have 3 96 watt pc's. But i would like to start a little into sps. I am not ready for them yet but i want to get the lights setup first. Can i do this or will i have bulbs breaking. Should I get a glass cover for my tank where my MH's go. Please tell me all your experiences. Also by doing this will i need a chiller. I do not want to invest in one. My tank does well right now with a few fans and i keep my ac no hotter than 89 so my tank never rises past 81.

 

[xxchris060]

its a 55gal.

 

[xxchris060]

so is 5in to low. Can I do anything with this. Anybody with mh. I have never owned them.

 

[hondo]

this is do-able but heat will be a problem and you will need fans blowing across the water and bulb under the canopy. I have a 37g that I put a 175w MH on and the bottom of the bulb is only 4" off the water. since I run a sump I put a fan in the sump to help cool the water and for the past 18 months have had no problems.

 

[xxchris060]

do you have glass over you tank to keep water off the bulb.

 

[hondo]

No glass covering the tank. I get some salt creep on the bulb that I clean off once a week but no other problems. It is better to have 6" - 8" of space between the bulb and the water surface but sometimes our canopies just don't cooperate.

 

[xxchris060]

What size and type of mh would you reccomend. I have 3 96wt pc in a 55gal. I was thinking of two MH so i could get one on each side of the tank. Do you think i need two or just one in the middle. What size lights should i be lookng for. Can anybody reccomend any name brands

 

[xxchris060]

bump

 

[spsfreak100]

Originally posted by xxchris060
What size and type of mh would you reccomend. I have 3 96wt pc in a 55gal. I was thinking of two MH so i could get one on each side of the tank. Do you think i need two or just one in the middle. What size lights should i be lookng for. Can anybody reccomend any name brands
I would recommend 2x 250wt 10,000k Ushio's on dual PFO ballast with 2x 110wt URI Actinic "03" VHO's. That would be some great lighting. I think Mark (Attml) has that lighting on his 55 gallon.
Graham