Mteal Halides on Fresh water

[Boydo]

I was thinking of getting some metal halides for my 550 gal comm aro tank which is 110" L x 40" D x 32" W. I have never used halides before, I want more light, but I don't want to burn fish. I have 10 aros XB Goldens, Super Reds, Silvers, and Blacks and other small bottom fish. I was thinking of the Coralife 72" with 3 x 150 watt 10,000K and chaging the actinic out for 4 x 96W Power compact colormax/6700K
these PC's
http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=54324&IDProductRelationship=305
the 6 footer
http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=53510&IDProductRelationship=313
or 2 run two of the 4 footers, they would have better coverage a one more 150 w metal halide or maybe two much light.
http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=53506&IDProductRelationship=313

 

[RadleyMiller]

It will work, and will warm the water a little bit, so you will need a ballast. I would keep the actinic bulbs, they make the water look awesome.

 

[flagtail]

The tank is quite wide and deep, I don't think the fixture you mention will do a good job..

The fixture is not wide enough for the tank, you might want to hand the fixture higher, in order to spread the light out more.....and if that is the case, your gonna have you go with at least 400W

The 400W will penetrate better.

Might want to check with the link below for pricing!
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/tcategory/halide.php?category_ID=70

cheers

 

[WyldFya]

That lighting will be more than adequate. I agree that actinic will look good, it will punctuate the blue and green tones in the fish. Suspend them from the ceiling, and adjust them to get the right amount of spread to cover the entire tank.

flagtail, 3x150 is 450w plust 4x96=384 384+450=834

 

[Dr Joe]

That lighting will be more than adequate. I agree that actinic will look good, it will punctuate the blue and green tones in the fish. Suspend them from the ceiling, and adjust them to get the right amount of spread to cover the entire tank.

flagtail, 3x150 is 450w plust 4x96=384 384+450=834

, plus the blue is obsorbed (optically) more readily.

 

[Boydo]

Thank You for your help, I think I will go with the 6 footer rather than the two four footers, I let you know how it looks.

Thanks

 

[WyldFya]

Personally I'd go for the suspended coralife MH single bulb fixtures. They look better, and will work better IMO.

 

[AquataHolic420]

thats nuts. MH on a Fw tank... dedication .. 1000$ lights on the tank...

 

[MilitantPotato]

If I post a link to super cheap high quality balasts will I get a cookie?
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/products.cfm?sid=793473FFE0815D55347917346C8C6368&c=22&sw=1