Metal Halide

[xkenneth]

Hi all, I have a chance to obtain this from a person who doesn't want it anymore for rather cheap. I'm sure the ballast is fine, but I can't tell if the bulb will do what I want for corals. Please let me know what you think. Also, would this be overkill for a 30gal? I believe it would, if so I'd be putting it on a 75.

http://www.wormsway.com/detail.asp?sku=MHA140#

http://www.wormsway.com/detail.asp?sku=MHAL138

Thanks for the advice!

Regards,
Ken

[austinsdad]

250 watts is too much light for a 30g IMO. I'd say OK for a 72g.

[Lagger]

Both of those bulbs are wrong! Those bulbs replicate natural sunlight as used for indoor growing (cough, cough ). You need a bulb in the right spectrum for saltwater aquariums, 10,000k-20,000k.

And you could stick a 250w over a 30 and be OK. Easily keep Acro and Monti.

[ryguy]

And you could stick a 250w over a 30 and be OK. Easily keep Acro and Monti.

...and burn everything else.

[MT79]

IME even moderate light corals will do well under MH if acclimated properly. I have 2x250's over a 55g with a 4" sand bed. That's only 15" deep, and look what I keep in my info. Low light corals will not appreciate that amount of light, but putting them under cliffs/overhangs in the LR is always an option. That light, w/ a high K lamp, would be great for SPS, clams, zoos, and some LPS on a 30gal. The main issue w/ that much light over that little water is the heat. If not set-up correctly you could easily cook your tank.
Good luck!

[Lagger]

Originally Posted by ryguy

...and burn everything else.

Uhhh, no. I don't get where people have these miconceptions that MH will fry your tank. 8 watts/gallon is high, but isn't excessive. I've seen some VHO set-ups that are out of control. Especially with the heigth required off the tank when using MH, a lot of that light gets dissapated and the intensity(lumens) drops.

[Lagger]

Originally Posted by MT79

IME even moderate light corals will do well under MH if acclimated properly. I have 2x250's over a 55g with a 4" sand bed. That's only 15" deep, and look what I keep in my info. Low light corals will not appreciate that amount of light, but putting them under cliffs/overhangs in the LR is always an option. That light, w/ a high K lamp, would be great for SPS, clams, zoos, and some LPS on a 30gal. The main issue w/ that much light over that little water is the heat. If not set-up correctly you could easily cook your tank.
Good luck!

Thank you 8) Very well said.

[xkenneth]

What would you guys think of a 400 over a 65 and a 400 over a 45? Trying to set up a prop system here.

[MarineFlake]

Personally (Having a 29g with 9.7wpg) I find it isnt the light intensity. Its acclimation and *heat* that will dictate your success. I have some soft corals in my 29g that have acclimated, others did not and went back under VHO. Heat however cannot be ignored as 400w over a small amount of water will cause significant heat issues with out proper mitigation.
Other than that do what you want..Its more an art than a science this hobby.

Peace.

[sum1serin]

What about a 75 gallon wanting to grow soft corals and host anenomes?

[ellisz]

Heat will be the deciding factor for sure.