Too much light?

[canyon15]

I have a new tank as my old one had a seal that started to let go. This one is a 65 with the dims of 36x18x26. I have one 250 MH now that is not yet mounted. Due to a center brace I was thinking of getting another 250. Is this too much? I realize this is about 7.7 wpg which is not too much but what about the overlap of light that would occur? Any input is appreciated.

 

[MarineFlake]

The question is really yours to answer..Is it too much or too little...For what you want to keep. As an example check out last months TOTM at reefcentral..
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/totm/index.php
Notice this is a 107g tank with 296w of light over it!! Look at the thing, its obviously awesome! Now, you'll also notice that the system has a lot more to it than a 'glass cage' and some lights but the staunch fundamentalists would balk at such a low watt per gallon ratio growing (Obviously very successfully) such amazing SPS.
So the first question any hobbist should ask themselves is 'what is it I am most interested in keeping' and next 'what kind of lighting will it require'. It always seems funny to me that folks start bass ackwards ; ) if one starts with the lights then the logical answer is 'what is best suited to my lighting?'. In your case at 7.7 per gal in such a small tank probably anything you wanted though softies (zoos, leathers, etc) have a tough time under such intense lighting. I say put yout mind to design on the front end and you will have much less re-thinking (And losses) on the back end.

Peace!

 

[Steven Pro]

Exactly! Figure out what you want to keep first. Then get lighting that is best for them.

 

[melosu58]

I have to agree. Figure out a plan for your tank and then adjust to it. Using myself for example I decided I wanted a soft coral and LPS coral tank so I got VHO`s that would be good for those type corals and proceeded. Check out my gallery for results.

 

[canyon15]

I would like to get a carpet anemone. This is the main reason for the MH but also there are a lot of SPS that interest me.

 

[roka64]

Carpet anemones tend to be difficult to keep in tanks, you will need to watch it and keep your water pristine.

 

[melosu58]

They are also deadly killers and will surely kill anything that touches it.