I need more light, 500 WATT 75G?

Currently I have 260 Watts, (2) 65 W Actinic 3 (2) 65 W 10,000 K

I am thinking of adding some VHO lighting, 220 Watts.
(1) 110 W 12,000 K Actinic White and (1) 110 W Actinic 3.

Is 500 Watts too much for a 75 Gallon, with over 100 pounds of live rock?

It would be about 7 watts per gallon.

 

No, the VHO's are not going to put you over the top.
The T-5 HO's are the newer technology and are more efficient than the older style vho's.

Jim

 

500 watts on a 75 gal tank is not excessive. You have to ask yourself this question. What I intend to put in my tank? Right now it seems as if you have no coral. Since you don't have any coral, you really don't need intense lighting. Your living things now will survive with the lighting on your tank now. Unless you just want to upgrade for the future... Save your money for something else-again unless you plan on purchasing coral at some future point in time. Just a suggestion.

 

Watts really mean nothing. 440 watts of VHO's won't put near the light in a tank 500 watts of halides will. A cheap 400 watt metal halide with a cheap reflector wont put out as much light as a 250 HQI halide with a good reflector. In your case adding the 2 VHO's is not overkill.