halos?

[peachykeen]

Im a newbie so bear with me. I have 65 gallon tank which will have live sand and rock (yes! reef tank). Guy at local pet store told me I could use 2 halo lights (150 each) and that would be enough for anything I wanted to put in (corals, clams, etc). He has steered me wrong more than once before and Im checking around to see if he got me again. A friend referred me to this sight and its been a godsend thank you all.

I thank you in advance for your advice on this matter.

[DapperDan]

Never heard of Halo lights.

You may need a new salesperson or new pet store.

Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me!

DD

[Poseidon]

Never heard of them, but I doubt any lights that are 150W would be adequate to cover a 65 gallons. I would think a minimum of 250W bulbs would be required. UNLESS the tank is very shallow, then maybe, but then the edges would not have adequate coverage. ETc etc

[BubbaWPB]

What are the dimensions of your tank? Are the halo lights pendant metal halides with parabolic reflectors?

[Reefland]

I think 2-150w would do the trick, but as Mike mentioned 2-250w would be a better solution and would remove any limitations. For this, I would look at some name brand fixtures using PFO, Icecap or Sunslight Supply ballasts, quality reflectors and some good name brand bulbs.

[peachykeen]

they are the pendant halides with reflectors, they said use two and hang them from above. another qquestion, can the bulbs be replaced with a higher wattage, using the 2 at 150 doesnt give me much to work with for corals

[peachykeen]

hes given lots of bad advice, only cost me once, i always research what he tells me and most of everyone else to, my first tank, dont want to screw it up, im patient enough to wait for perfection

[Ninong]

they are the pendant halides with reflectors, they said use two and hang them from above. another qquestion, can the bulbs be replaced with a higher wattage, using the 2 at 150 doesnt give me much to work with for corals

You can't replace the bulbs with a higher wattage without replacing the ballasts.

[peachykeen]

so would the 2 150's be enough for corals? From what Ive read they should be enough for fish, correct. Dimensions are L=36,W=18,H=22

[Reefland]

They would be fine for corals too, the question is would there be any coral limitations. Some will say yes, others will say no. For the small cost of the 250w upgrade, I think it is worth it to remove any questions.

[peachykeen]

thank you very much

[BubbaWPB]

I have 2 - 150 Watt MH on my 75 gallon tank and my corals are doing fine.

[Rubisco]

Well I would have to say with a depth of 22 inches I wouldnt use anything less than the 250w Halides.
Just my .02

Matt

[peachykeen]

thank you all, very much

[zhenya]

Rubisco,