Lighting Question

[DiscusZ]

What is best?

I have a canaopy that I can either go 2 48" 110 watt bulbs or I could go with 4 24" bulbs for 300 watts


I currently have 2 400 watt MH ready to go Is this too much light??


Jim

[Bob I]

Well If you go by the old saying "there' no such thing as too much light", the obvious choice would be the two 400's. :biggrin:

However, there is a qualifier, what is in the tank" :question:

[Ruth]

Holy cow 2 X 400W for a 77g tank is a lot! Unless you are upgrading to a bigger tank then ignore this. I'm sure you have thought of it but you will definately need to take heat into consideration. I have 3 X 400W over my 230g and need a fan blowing over the sump/fuge to control heat. A chiller is definately on my shopping list before next summer. My tank is 31" deep (can you say PITA for cleaning) and I still have to be careful how I place coral as it will easily bleach

[Invigor]

bob is right, it depends what you're keeping. if you're doing softies/lps corals you might want to consider High output t5s.

[Mike Olson]

here is a great link to look at in respect to lighting in a reef aquarium...I was going to go with 3-400 W in my 24"deep 150G tank...it made me change my mind to 1-400 in the middle and a 250 on each side
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=692484

[Invigor]

ahh good read, lots of kabobs to remember this late at night...but too, covered my thoughts on "what's too much", and personally, i think 250w hqis are too much for me :mrgreen:

[DiscusZ]

Well I got the dual 400 watt ballast for a reasonable price and could not turn it down. Down the road I want to upgrade the 77 to a 150 or 250 So I figured why not get the light I want now.


Since I probably wont run the 400 watts all day should I also go with some VHO?

I want to get into some SPS and LPS eventually.


I already have dual fans in my canopy one sucking air in and the other discharging.

Do not have the MH going full time yet, as I still have my PC going.

Jim