400 watt mh lighting

[blaze201]

Hey my question is about a 400 watt mh lighting unit. I found soem for sale cheap neer my house and i was wondering if they could do a 100 - 120 gallon salt water reef tank not sure what my friend plans on puting in it but he does want to have corals and inverts, and if it could how many would you need. and also how many would i need for just a 100 gallon fresh water full of live plants.

[Reefland]

Hi blaze210,

400w would obviously work for a larger tank, but is often-times an overkill except for on the tallest tanks. 250w halides usually do just fine for tanks up to 27" tall.

[charlie]

Hi blaze210,


400w would obviously work for a larger tank, but is often-times an overkill except for on the tallest tanks. 250w halides usually do just fine for tanks up to 27" tall.

I thought it was 24". Scott is right tho, 250w is probably the most versatile lites out there.

[Reefland]

I guess it depends on the light penetration needed at the bottom of the tank?

[blaze201]

well we measured his tank today and its 31 inches tall. and would it be alrite if he had the light about 13 inches above the surface?

[charlie]

With the tank being 31" tall and you wanting the lites 13" off the surface, I personally think you should go with 400w lites. Of course alot of that depends on what he wants to have as far as corals go, but even softies in a 31" deep tank probably would appreciate the 400w.

[Reefland]

Agreed with the 400w suggestion with a tank 31" tall.

[WRANGLER]

Just wanted some opinions on some lighting. I been wanting to add some clams, so I am going to have to upgrade. I am currently running some PCs in a 100 gallon (60x18x20). I was thinking of going with some 250w halides. My question is....What is a good brand out there? I am willing to put some money down for a good brand, and how many do you all recommend for my tank?