Metal Halide Wattage for 15 gallon tall?

[Genix]

i plan on keeping soft and hard corals, as well as an anenome. the manager of my [acronym:5673edf119="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:5673edf119] said even a 150 watt would probably overheat my little tank. he was also trying to tell me that metal halide bulbs need to be replaced as often as power compact? i get the feeling he was just trying to sell me power compact lighting because he doesn't have any metal halides for sale. i'll be building the canopy for a metal halide retrofit. do i need a fan?

[Salttanker]

I replace my [acronym:e1e8f77e24="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:e1e8f77e24] lights once a year. The [acronym:e1e8f77e24="Power compact fluorescent"]pc[/acronym:e1e8f77e24] I change out every 6 months.
What are the dimensions on the tank? 15 [acronym:e1e8f77e24="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e1e8f77e24] will heat up very quickly with [acronym:e1e8f77e24="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:e1e8f77e24].

If you do go [acronym:e1e8f77e24="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:e1e8f77e24], you will definitely need fans, and build the canopy about 8-12 inches above the water. With a tank that small, you might be able to get away with using [acronym:e1e8f77e24="Power compact fluorescent"]pc[/acronym:e1e8f77e24] depending on the species you choose. Good luck.

Mike

[Genix]

i don't have a measuring tape. it has the base dimensions of a 10 gallon tank, but it's about 18 inches tall. i'd much rather go with metal halide, since it will be cheaper in the long run.

[Salttanker]

ok..just make sure you build the canopy high enough above the water. This will help with the heat as well.

Mike

[Hara]

any [acronym:bc0418e962="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:bc0418e962] will be too much on that small of a tank, unless you can find a 75 watt pendant possibly. I would go with [acronym:bc0418e962="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:bc0418e962] or T-5.

[Genix]

so it's just the heat that's a problem, then?

[Hara]

no....10 watts per gallon is a little stiff on most corals.

[MT79]

They do make 75w [acronym:950be27806="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:950be27806] pendants for aquariums now. That may work w/ just fans. [acronym:950be27806="For what its worth"]FWIW[/acronym:950be27806] a member of this site, Klam, has a 12 [acronym:950be27806="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:950be27806] w/ a 150w DE [acronym:950be27806="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:950be27806] but he runs a chiller. [acronym:950be27806="In My Honest Opinion"]IMHO[/acronym:950be27806] [acronym:950be27806="Watts Per Gallon"]WPG[/acronym:950be27806] is not very useful. It is only good for describing the minimum amount of light needed.

[Genix]

hmm...okay. much conflicting advice. how's this: http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...t_ID=pc-al2096

suitable for all corals and an anenome??

[Salttanker]

That looks appropriate foe a 15 [acronym:e3ae721869="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e3ae721869]. I don't know much about the brand, but I know that corallife is a good brand and reliable.


Mike