Realistic Lighting

[Guest Rileyporter]

For a 55g setup which of the 2 iights do you guys think would work better?

 

400W MH

or

175W MH

 

The reason I ask is because I have both and I am going to be building a custom hood for my 55 soon. I have been told that 400W seems a bit large for 55g what do you guys think?

 

Thanks,

 

Riley

[dandy7200]

I think either way 1 light is not going to cover 4 feet the way you want. I would sell the 400 and buy another 175.

[martin]

For a 55g setup which of the 2 iights do you guys think would work better?

 

400W MH

or

175W MH

 

The reason I ask is because I have both and I am going to be building a custom hood for my 55 soon. I have been told that 400W seems a bit large for 55g what do you guys think?

 

Thanks,

 

Riley

 

I have two 250 mh over a 75gallon, corals are growing well.

[steveoutlaw]

I agree with dandy - sell the 400w and buy another 175w. The 400w won't cover the entire tank and you will have some heat issues as well. I had 2 250w on my 120g (2' wide and 2' deep) and the corals grew just fine, so 2 175w will be plenty for your 55g.

[Gadgets]

I really think it depends on what you want to keep and if you plan to upgrade in the future. What Kevin bulbs do u want to run?

 

SPS

If you plan on running 20k bulbs the 400w setup would give you excellent par (par is about equal to 250w XM 10k) and color. If you plan to run 10k then the 175 should be ok. growth won't be as fast but it should get you by.

 

Mixed Reef

If this is a mixed reef then you should be fine with the 175s 20k or 10k.

 

Good luck!

[n8dogggg]

I have two 250 mh over a 75gallon, corals are growing well.

 

I also have two 250MH for my 75G. I think I'm probably going to start building my canopy next week. I don't think you can go wrong either way. 250 vs 175...depends on the growth speed you want like all others have said.

[rsaavedra]

I'm with dandy

[ReeferMan]

i had a 250w on the center of a 55g and i had shadows on both sides. If i did it again i would of done dual 175w MH's

[Guest Rileyporter]

i had a 250w on the center of a 55g and i had shadows on both sides. If i did it again i would of done dual 175w MH's

 

 

Thanks for the great information guys! One more question then. I would like to know what light produces faster growth of corals. The 10k or 20k? on the 175. Also will there be a noticeable difference between 175's and 250's as far as growth goes?

 

And finally. Will 1 MH be suitable on a 46g Bowfront? Its pretty deep so I was thinking that center placement would be fine?

 

Riley

[dandy7200]

Thanks for the great information guys! One more question then. I would like to know what light produces faster growth of corals. The 10k or 20k? on the 175. Also will there be a noticeable difference between 175's and 250's as far as growth goes?

 

And finally. Will 1 MH be suitable on a 46g Bowfront? Its pretty deep so I was thinking that center placement would be fine?

 

Riley

 

 

10k faster growth, 20k colorful growth.

 

175 growth, 250 faster growth.

 

On the bowfront 1 mh will work fine provided you have a good reflector.

 

Are you setting up 2 tanks?

[rsaavedra]

10k faster growth, 20k colorful growth.

 

175 growth, 250 faster growth.

 

On the bowfront 1 mh will work fine provided you have a good reflector.

 

Are you setting up 2 tanks?

 

100% agreement with dandy

[Guest Rileyporter]

100% agreement with dandy

 

 

Yup 2 tanks. Kinda fell into my lap. 1 46g and 1 55g.. .. Thanks for the info guys.

 

Riley