400w metal halide good enough for 24in depth?

[Bugeater281]

I have a 170g tank. 6ft x18in x24in depth. Will 2 400w metal halides be good enough? I also have a 220w led dimmable black box I can supplement the tank with.

 

[A. grandis]

No need LED. Yes, 400W should be enough for 24" deep. The spread/depth coverage from the halide will depend on the fixture you're using.

 

[TerraFerma]

What fixtures/reflectors are you thinking of using?

 

[eskymick]

400w MH is plenty for 24” depth. However, you may find that only two fixtures isn’t enough to cover the 6’ length of your tank. You could get by with only two by concentrating lower light corals in the center area.

 

[Bugeater281]

What fixtures/reflectors are you thinking of using?

I was actually thinking of building my own fixture. I have two 400w metal halides laying around for a grow tent. Got them cheap a while ago. Ones digital and the other is magnetic. I’d eventually replace the magnetic with digital. Currently they are sitting around collecting dust. However I don’t really feel like spending 600+ for two fixtures. But I also have access to metal working tools and a cnc machine. I can’t imagine building one is too complicated. I have multiple handmade leds running 6 other tanks. And the tank will be in my basement which averages 65-68 degrees. So I don’t think the heat will be an issue. Especially when I have a controller to control the heaters. And I can program a fan into if needed.

 

[Miller535]

I have a 170g tank. 6ft x18in x24in depth. Will 2 400w metal halides be good enough? I also have a 220w led dimmable black box I can supplement the tank with.

Are you sure it's 170? That's the dimensions of a 125 gallon tank

 

[Bugeater281]

Are you sure it's 170? That's the dimensions of a 125 gallon tank

Actually i think it’s 8ft. Been a while since I measured it.

 

[TerraFerma]

Two halides won't allow you to grow high light stuff all over the tank. But if you keep the high light stuff just under the halides...sure go for it.

 

[Bugeater281]

Two halides won't allow you to grow high light stuff all over the tank. But if you keep the high light stuff just under the halides...sure go for it.

What if I supplement with the 220w led in the middle?

 

[Miller535]

Two halides won't allow you to grow high light stuff all over the tank. But if you keep the high light stuff just under the halides...sure go for it.

Agreed

 

[TerraFerma]

What if I supplement with the 220w led in the middle?

If you don't mind a different color light in the middle of your tank - yea that works.

 

[Bpb]

Like others have said. Top to bottom depth is a piece of cake. With 250 watt bulbs would be adequate. But laterally they’ll cover maybe 24-30” even with the best reflectors. With an led panel in the middle you may be alright if you plan the rock work carefully

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

For my 72x36x25 tank I’m going with 400w MH in Hamilton Cozumel Sun fixtures, should be enough spread for the depth as they are 20”x20” if needed I will add some T5s I suppose.

 

[blstravler]

My last 6 foot tank I ran 3 400w Radium's and 2 VHO's - and coverage was fantastic.