Metal halide wattage question.

[ace1uno_00]

I want to buy a 36 inch light fixture for my 40 gallon tank (36x18x20.)

They have two of them, one is 280W:
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=185

and one is 305W:
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...PROD&ProdID=12


what do the watt differences mean? is one brighter than the other? or does one just suck up more electricity than the other.

I want to order by today.

Thanks guys.

[ccCapt]

One unit has a 150w mh bulb and 2 65w [acronym:9eb708978b="Power compact fluorescent"]pc[/acronym:9eb708978b]'s, the other has a 175w mh and 2 65w [acronym:9eb708978b="Power compact fluorescent"]pc[/acronym:9eb708978b]'s. The difference between the 2 is the size of the mh's. I can't comment on the availablilty of 150w double ended mh bulbs, but 175 is a very common size.

[ace1uno_00]

ok so the 175 is a safer choice?

[Hara]

what you want to put in the tank will decide on which light is better for you. You can have TOO much lighting. Especially in a shallow tank where you cant place things low enough.

[ace1uno_00]

I see. well, i want sabae anemoe and long tentacle anemone. is this too much lighting for them?

[Hara]

someone else will have to field that question. I have little personal experience with those anemone. I think 7 [acronym:acf7a3c193="Watts Per Gallon"]wpg[/acronym:acf7a3c193] is probably extreme, but I am not really sure.

[ace1uno_00]

Thanks.

I ordered it.... I hope i'm not doin any over kill here.

[MT79]

I keep a Sebae and 3 BTA's in my tank-55gal 2x250w [acronym:ba544e030a="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:ba544e030a]/2x110w [acronym:ba544e030a="Very high output fluorescent"]VHO[/acronym:ba544e030a] o3. [acronym:ba544e030a="Watts Per Gallon"]WPG[/acronym:ba544e030a] is useless when dealing w [acronym:ba544e030a="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:ba544e030a] lamps [acronym:ba544e030a="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:ba544e030a]. I had the Sebae under just [acronym:ba544e030a="Very high output fluorescent"]VHO[/acronym:ba544e030a]'s(2x75w) in a 29 [acronym:ba544e030a="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ba544e030a]. for over a year, and I can say it is much happier/healthier looking under these [acronym:ba544e030a="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:ba544e030a]. Sebae's are high light anemones. I've had my current set up going for 1 year next month and could not be happier w/ the results.

[ace1uno_00]

So what your saying is that this light is sufficient enough to keep sabae anemone?

[MT79]

Yes, definitely not too much just be sure proper light acclimation procedures are followed. I think you'll be very happy w/ it.