Is my 400 watt metal halide too much?

[BenHyder]

I just bought a 400 watt metal halide fixture and I'm wondering if it's too much for my tank. I have 30 gallon frag tank that is only about 8 inches deep. Can I use it or should I just sell it and get some different lights? If so, what other lights should I get? I would like to keep it under $200.

 

[Vmacisback]

I wouldn't do more than a 250w. Or a 4-6 bulb t5

 

[jackson6745]

400w on an 8" high tank is extreme overkill. Best thing you can do is measure par in your display, and get the same par in the frag tank using similar lighting.

 

[BenHyder]

Thanks. Does anyone have suggestions on lights?

 

[tigerdragon]

If you are insistent on halide i would go to a 150w fixture. A 4 bulb t5 fixture would work good or even an led fixture such as a reef radiance dm165e, ocean revive t247. If you do halide i would supplement with t5