400watts to much?

Well I am getting a 400watt Metal hailde for cheap from a friend that is getting out of saltwater. I was thinking would it hurt if I put it on my 30gal? Then maybe put some corals in it, after I get all my live rock and such.

 

hmm...i dont really want to say that it is too much....but well you will probably have to hang it high if you want to use it....any other thoughts?

That is a very powerful light for a smaller tank though

 

I am gunna get it cheap, I thought that I might as well get it now beacause I ha ve a 55gal sitting here waiting until i move and get this tank set up.

 

How tall is the 30G?

If you were to go with a 14-20K Bulb and want to go SPS. I think it would work. for softies, zoos and leathers you may be going way over there needs and that might be a negative.

Ya that's a good Idea gather your stuff for the 55G when the deals are around

J

 

18'' I think

 

A 400watt bulb is generally good for tank depths of over 24". However, as mentioned above you could hang it higher up above the tank. This would also cut down on the excessive heat from the mh bulb.

 

Jason is dead on. I second running the higher Kelvin bulbs. If you check the PAR numbers most 20K 400W have less PAR than 10K 250W. Hang it high and light acclimate any new corals slowly.

 

Hang it real high

 

Because of the fact that your gonna hang it high (assuming it's a pendant), your gonna have a beautifully lit room in the end (not good). If I were you, I'd get the 400w and then re-sell it and buy a smaller one, like a 175w. ;D I think a 400w is way to much for 18" of depth, your gonna be burning softies like crazy. You may also run the risk of bleaching hard corals.

 

Agreed ^^ What else is eBay for?