[razorfingerz]

I have a 55 g, 18'' high tank, with 260 watts of cps, i recently bought 2 x 250w MH 14k fixtures.. if i can control the heat with fans, could i mount both bulbs over the tank without killing anything? even my softies? i was planing on mounting them about 1 foot from the surface. would i need a chiller?

[charlie]

I think you will be ok, but you have to remember,1 halide will cover a 2x2 area. Is this a 4' tank? I would also remind you that you should acclimate your critters to the lites over at least a 1 month period, just to be safe.
As far as needing a chiller, I can't tell you that. Your temps will tell you.

[razorfingerz]

its a four foot tank..

[charlie]

You should be good to go, just take it easy with the acclimation!!

[razorfingerz]

how would i go about doing that?..

[charlie]

There are a few ways. The one I like is just to cut back on the photoperiod for about 2 hours on each end, and then gradually extend it over the 3weeks to a month.
Another way is to use a few sheeets of that mesh screen, and take a layer off each week. Do a search on lighting acclimation, I am sure you can find a way that you and your critters can get comfortable with.
Just watch your animals, they will tell you if they are happy or not. HTH

[razorfingerz]

so.. im not gonna nuke my tank with too much intensity?

[charlie]

I don't think so, not if you acclimate right. I think you will find that some of your stuff will like the extra lite. You may have to move some stuff around, but if you have problems, that's why we are around here, I think.

[razorfingerz]

so i put my new lights up.. my corals seem to be loving it.. should i still acclimate them even tho they dont look mad? ive been doin 5 hours.. and i moved the corals to the bottom. they actualll love it

[charlie]

Just keep an eyeball on them. I would still acclimate. That is quite the change for your stuff.