Lighting for a 75g

We bought a diy canopy from someone recently (cheap!) that has one 250w SE metal halide light (Icecap magnetic ballast) and 2 T12 actinic bulbs (also a magnetic ballast).

Any suggestions on how to make this work on a 75 gallon I'm setting up? The tank is about 16" deep and 48" long. The MH is set right in the middle of this canopy.

I would assume it would be better to have 2 MH bulbs instead of one? Is the 250w too strong for the depth of this tank? Would two 250w bulbs then be overkill? Do I need 175watt bulbs (and new ballasts)? Help!

Yes, I am clueless, and could use some advice!!

 

It will all depend on the corals you plan on keeping in the future, as well as the way you introduce the new ones and current ones to the lighting system you are putting up. In the end if acclimatized right I have never heard of too much light or flow in a tank. Being that your mh is in the middle of the tank you can put the more light sucking corals (sps) around the mh and the softies to the left and right of the mh.

 

You could get 2 T5 retro kits to put on either side for about $100 each. I bought them and they are less than 4" wide each. www.buildyouraquarium.com I set up a timer and run them from 11 am to 8 pm. I run my 175 MH from 1 pm to 5 pm. Seems to work good and saves a lot of heat. That is my humble opinion.

 

I have seen people go with one single MH bulb on a tank, typically to create a certain look or to create a different kind of visual experience. The MH will cover about 2'sq so you can have all your higher light requiring corals in the square and do lower light corals such as mushrooms on the sides. Or you can get another ballast and reflector and set up two MH bulbs. You CAN make this setup work but it will depend on what you are planning to do.

You could create a mound in the center mimicing a boulder and cover that will coral and let the sides of the tank be open swimming area. Tanks don't all need to be a wall of rocks!!

Happy creating!

 

Two 250 watt mh would cook your tank. I would use a mh on one end and a 4 bulb t5 ho set up on the other 24" 24 watt bulbs. Clams and high light sps on one side and everything else on the other.

 

I've decided to keep the 250w MH. I bought one T5 retro kit today, and two actinics. When I can scrounge up the money, I'll buy another retro kit and add that.

thanks for the input!

 

For what its worth it wont..... But it looks like the decision is already made!! Good luck!!;D

Happy lighting!

 

not true, i use 2-400w mh on my 75

 

Depending on the temperature that you keep the house and how many hours you keep them running you may find a need for a chiller if gets too hot in the tank. Cha Ching$