Saltwater & Reef

sgc0286 · 01-12-2010, 06:47 PM

I was wondering if two of these on my 65 gallong hexagon will be enough for a 400W metal halide.
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thominil · 01-12-2010, 08:24 PM

How big is your tank, and how deep is it? 400w halides are usually way overkill in most standard tanks and are rarely used.

sgc0286 · 01-12-2010, 11:36 PM

My tank is 65gal. 30 inches deep.

sgc0286 · 01-12-2010, 11:38 PM

Perhaps I should of gone with the 250, but I have been told that that would not be enough. Oh well.

thominil · 01-12-2010, 11:50 PM

A 2x250w unit would have worked out better if your tank is 48" long. Is there any way you can send your 400w fixture back and exchange it for a 250w? I would fear burning everything in the tank with the 400w fixture as that is too much light IMO.

sgc0286 · 01-12-2010, 11:53 PM

My tank is a hexagon. Cant exchange, bought from some guy, got the pendant and ballast for 120. So If I have to I will just sell it and look for somthing else.

thominil · 01-13-2010, 12:24 AM

I just looked up the dimensions on 65g hex tanks, seems like they are all 24" tall and 36" wide so you would be able to get by with a T5 HO fixture which would eliminate the need of a chiller, they are cheaper to run, and they are usually cheaper than most halide setups. Try the Current USA Nova Extreme Pro 6x39w T5 HO fixture. It should allow you to keep almost anything you want. SPS coral would need to be placed in the upper regions of the tank though.

Just double check the dimensions on your tank to make sure that it is definately 36" wide and 24" tall. If they match up, you are good to go.

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sgc0286 · 01-13-2010, 12:48 AM

My tank is 29.5 inches deep, I said 30 to make it more simple. It is pretty old so maybe they dont make them that way any more. T5HO is definately my preference but with that depth, they will not penatrate.

thominil · 01-13-2010, 12:55 AM

Well then a 250w halide would be best. I would just resell the 400w pendant unless you could swap the 400w ballast out for a 250w ballast, but I am doubtful. Grab a 250w pendant and stick a 14k 250w phoenix bulb in it. HTH.