400W Metal Halide?

[Pandicorn]

Hello everyone! I have what may be a silly question but...

I have a Standard 55 gallon tank, planning to hopefully fill it with some live rock, corals, etc., but haven't decided on my exact stocking yet. My question here is - Would 1 400w metal halide work to light this tank? I'm aware that the center brace may cause problems, but I feel like 2 would definitely be far too much. I currently have 4 400w MH lights and 6 400w capacitators (found a good deal on craigslist, couldn't resist!), but am now wondering if it would make more sense for me to just sell them, and buy more appropriate lighting? Thanks!

 

[coil1002]

What kind of reflector are you planning on using ?

 

[andrewkw]

IMO I'd replace the tank before the lighting, but unless I was going sps dominate I'd replace the lighting as well. With a big reflector and the light up high you can get great coverage from a single 400w mh. One problem is your tank is only 12" front to back. I actually have a single 250w mh over a 55 gallon that I'm using as a frag tank. To be fair I am using this because I had the 55g that I use for fish qt and the light was from an old setup. I get good coverage on about 24-30" of the 48" length. I could certainly try and hang the light higher or even angle it but I don't need complete coverage and this is in a spare room that only I go in. I would never ever consider this in any kind of display setup.

The 55 gallon has got to be the worst dimensions for anything. I only have one because I got it for fish qt and paid maybe $30 for it..

 

[Pandicorn]

What kind of reflector are you planning on using ?

They’re the sun supply lumen elites, I have 4 which I feel is definitely super overkill for my tank.

 

[Pandicorn]

IMO I'd replace the tank before the lighting, but unless I was going sps dominate I'd replace the lighting as well. With a big reflector and the light up high you can get great coverage from a single 400w mh. One problem is your tank is only 12" front to back. I actually have a single 250w mh over a 55 gallon that I'm using as a frag tank. To be fair I am using this because I had the 55g that I use for fish qt and the light was from an old setup. I get good coverage on about 24-30" of the 48" length. I could certainly try and hang the light higher or even angle it but I don't need complete coverage and this is in a spare room that only I go in. I would never ever consider this in any kind of display setup.

The 55 gallon has got to be the worst dimensions for anything. I only have one because I got it for fish qt and paid maybe $30 for it..

Yeah I got it for what I think was a pretty solid deal (tank+solid wood stand+~30lb of live rock) for 175. I also have access to a 60g, but it isn’t much deeper.. just taller, which is honestly not great IMO. Should I just sell the lights and buy more appropriate (2 150W?) lights? While I would love a 100+g tank due to pricing as well as spacing it’s just not super possible atm.

 

[A. grandis]

I would get some T5s instead as a more appropriate light for a 55gal.
BUT...
I had in the past 2 X 250w pendants over a 55gal and loved it. It was overkill, of course.
You could get 2 Luxcore 250 and use 2 of your your pendants without any problem.
With the luxcore ballasts you could choose 150w, 175w or 250w bulbs.
Grandis.

 

[jda]

The spread of a single halide will be really hard. Spillover from raising the light can be hard too.

2x 150W or even 175W will allow you to keep anything anywhere. 250W would be even more awesome, but probably not necessary. The reflectors are good - I would just get new ballasts and sockets (if necessary). 150W is doubled ended will need an electronic or ANSI M81 ballast. 175W is single ended can be electronic or magnetic. 150W double end has the super-awesome 14K Phoenix available - this is a great bulb. 175W has some good choices, but none that are as widely loved as the 14K Phoenix - Hamilton 14K and 20K are nice and usually make people happy who like a crisp white (the 14K) all the way to a blue look (20K).

 

[Pandicorn]

I would get some T5s instead as a more appropriate light for a 55gal.
BUT...
I had in the past 2 X 250w pendants over a 55gal and loved it. It was overkill, of course.
You could get 2 Luxcore 250 and use 2 of your your pendants without any problem.
With the luxcore ballasts you could choose 150w, 175w or 250w bulbs.
Grandis.

So then my 4x 400w are definitely too much, right? I don't want to bleach my corals haha. Considering just selling them and maybe buying some nice LED's or something.

 

[Pandicorn]

The spread of a single halide will be really hard. Spillover from raising the light can be hard too.

2x 150W or even 175W will allow you to keep anything anywhere. 250W would be even more awesome, but probably not necessary. The reflectors are good - I would just get new ballasts and sockets (if necessary). 150W is doubled ended will need an electronic or ANSI M81 ballast. 175W is single ended can be electronic or magnetic. 150W double end has the super-awesome 14K Phoenix available - this is a great bulb. 175W has some good choices, but none that are as widely loved as the 14K Phoenix - Hamilton 14K and 20K are nice and usually make people happy who like a crisp white (the 14K) all the way to a blue look (20K).

If I were to keep 2 pendants, I would need 2 new 150w ballasts and bulbs, correct? I can't imagine the 400w ballasts will function well with a 150w bulb.

 

[A. grandis]

The spread of a single halide will be really hard. Spillover from raising the light can be hard too.

2x 150W or even 175W will allow you to keep anything anywhere. 250W would be even more awesome, but probably not necessary. The reflectors are good - I would just get new ballasts and sockets (if necessary). 150W is doubled ended will need an electronic or ANSI M81 ballast. 175W is single ended can be electronic or magnetic. 150W double end has the super-awesome 14K Phoenix available - this is a great bulb. 175W has some good choices, but none that are as widely loved as the 14K Phoenix - Hamilton 14K and 20K are nice and usually make people happy who like a crisp white (the 14K) all the way to a blue look (20K).

What 14K are you referring to, jda? The Ushio? Hamilton? Giesemann 14500K?
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

So then my 4x 400w are definitely too much, right? I don't want to bleach my corals haha. Considering just selling them and maybe buying some nice LED's or something.

NO, NO LEDS!!! PLEASE!! AAAARGGGHHH!!
LOL!
You have the chance to get some halides running and want LEDs?
But seriously... Perhaps a nice T5 fixture or get 2 halide fixtures running with some 175W ushio 14Ks, like jda proposed.
No regrets nor troubles with those options.
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

If I were to keep 2 pendants, I would need 2 new 150w ballasts and bulbs, correct? I can't imagine the 400w ballasts will function well with a 150w bulb.

Your fixture is for single ended bulbs and the 175w is the option with a Luxcore electronic ballast.
150w bulbs are double ended.
With the Luxcore you can choose to use 175w or 250w bulbs.
Grandis.

 

[DSC reef]

So then my 4x 400w are definitely too much, right? I don't want to bleach my corals haha. Considering just selling them and maybe buying some nice LED's or something.

I'm a halide guy but do some research, plenty of really nice led fixtures out there. You will find people who absolutely hate led lights and people who hate halides. Don't let them choose your lighting for you. Plenty of great threads on here to help you choose a great fixture for your tanks needs.

 

[deedubz]

I have a 48" Hamilton fixture above my standard 55. I'm currently running 2 250w 14000k bulbs and 4 true actinic T5s. I used to run Phoenix 14000ks and liked them too. It's time for me to change bulbs so I'm trying out Hamilton's 20000k bulbs and ATI blue+ t5 bulbs. I've seen a few local guys' tanks with LEDs and, although they do look good, I much prefer the look of mh.

Someone mentioned upgrading the tank and then the lights.. Why? I bought these lights knowing full well they'd stay with me when I moved to a bigger tank. I'm actually about to put a deposit down on my custom rimless in a few days. Instead of being unhappy with my lighting for the past 14 months I bought what I wanted, implemented it, tinkered around with various bulbs, and will have an idea of precisely which spectrum I'll want over my larger tank. Just my .02

 

[deedubz]

I'm a halide guy but do some research, plenty of really nice led fixtures out there. You will find people who absolutely hate led lights and people who hate halides. Don't let them choose your lighting for you. Plenty of great threads on here to help you choose a great fixture for your tanks needs.

This though.. Ultimately it's going to come down to what looks and works best for you. I love halides but many people swear by LEDs. See if you can see other people's tanks up close. After you've decided on what you like best pull the trigger!

 

[DSC reef]

I have a 48" Hamilton fixture above my standard 55. I'm currently running 2 250w 14000k bulbs and 4 true actinic T5s. I used to run Phoenix 14000ks and liked them too. It's time for me to change bulbs so I'm trying out Hamilton's 20000k bulbs and ATI blue+ t5 bulbs. I've seen a few local guys' tanks with LEDs and, although they do look good, I much prefer the look of mh.

Someone mentioned upgrading the tank and then the lights.. Why? I bought these lights knowing full well they'd stay with me when I moved to a bigger tank. I'm actually about to put a deposit down on my custom rimless in a few days. Instead of being unhappy with my lighting for the past 14 months I bought what I wanted, implemented it, tinkered around with various bulbs, and will have an idea of precisely which spectrum I'll want over my larger tank. Just my .02

Your gonna love the Hamilton's 20k and blue plus T5's, thays what I run in the 150 watt DE bulb. Hoping to upgrade to the Hamilton fixture soon.

 

[deedubz]

Your gonna love the Hamilton's 20k and blue plus T5's, thays what I run in the 150 watt DE bulb. Hoping to upgrade to the Hamilton fixture soon.

Actually, it was you that advised me to go with the blue + when I asked in that radium vs Hamilton thread. I'm thinking I will too. I love their 14ks but wanted a touch more blue

 

[DSC reef]

Actually, it was you that advised me to go with the blue + when I asked in that radium vs Hamilton thread. I'm thinking I will too. I love their 14ks but wanted a touch more blue

Thanks for the reminder! Lol. Can't wait to upgrade to 250 watts. Post some pics once you get it set up.

 

[A. grandis]

I have a 48" Hamilton fixture above my standard 55. I'm currently running 2 250w 14000k bulbs and 4 true actinic T5s. I used to run Phoenix 14000ks and liked them too. It's time for me to change bulbs so I'm trying out Hamilton's 20000k bulbs and ATI blue+ t5 bulbs. I've seen a few local guys' tanks with LEDs and, although they do look good, I much prefer the look of mh.

Someone mentioned upgrading the tank and then the lights.. Why? I bought these lights knowing full well they'd stay with me when I moved to a bigger tank. I'm actually about to put a deposit down on my custom rimless in a few days. Instead of being unhappy with my lighting for the past 14 months I bought what I wanted, implemented it, tinkered around with various bulbs, and will have an idea of precisely which spectrum I'll want over my larger tank. Just my .02

What is the difference between the Phoenix 14K and the Hamilton 14K?
Hamilton 20K and the ATI Blue Plus will make it really blue, right?
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

Your gonna love the Hamilton's 20k and blue plus T5's, thays what I run in the 150 watt DE bulb. Hoping to upgrade to the Hamilton fixture soon.

What fixture are you going to upgrade to?
Grandis.