Metal halides are flashing!!!!!

Hi,
I am new to this forum, first post, and had some questions for you pros out there. I have a 100 gallon tank (60" X 18" X 24") with 150lbs on live rock stocked with coral and fish. My light set up is 2-175 watt MH 10000k bulbs and 4-65 watt compact acintics. First question is that enough light? Most corals are getting by but some have died off and others seem to be just hanging in there. One of the MH bulbs startted to flicker like a strob light recently. I thought it was the bulb but when I switched the power leads the other bulb did the same thing. This leads me to belive that there is something wrong with the ballast. Second question is what would cause this and is it easily fixable or do I need a new ballast? Any help with this would be appreciated.

 

Well just to give a comparison, i have a 46gallon that also has 2 175W MHs over it. I have 2 65W PC supplements over it as well. So I almost have as much light as you do, but you are stretching yours twice as much as me. Between the two types of lights, and I hate saying this because it pretty much doesnt apply at all anymore, but you do have 6.1WPG. That should be enough but most of it is PC. Which corals are "hanging in there?" Which ones have died? If they are sps then definitely no, they wont survive with that light. I have no idea whats going on with your strobe MH. If what you did is true then yes its definitely your ballast but you would probably be best taking that to an electrician. Unless you know about that sort of thing. HTH.

 

OK so it sounds like I need more light. If the ballast in going out do you know if I can get it fixed and have them change it to 2- 250 watts instead of the existing 2-175 watts? If so, do you think that is enough or sould I go to 2-400 watts?

 

With the tank depth of 24" you are right at the edge of 250's. I dont think they will upgrade you for free but you can ask if the ballast is under warranty where did you get the lights?

 

These lights were purchased from E-bay a couple of years ago and I can not find receipt for them so I can assume that a warranty fix is out of the question. I was just wondering if I could go to a local shop and have it changed to 250 watt or is a simple thing I can do at home. If so, does anyone know what parts need to be changed?

 

You need to decide on what type of corals you plan on keeping...that will dictate how much light you should have!
as for the electrical some ballasts can be used for 150 watt/250 watt metal halides interchangeable, but you need to be sure before you switch bulbs and try that with your ballast.
Anything DIY regarding electrical-I would have an electrician handle it! Rather than take a chance of hurting you or your family, your tank inhabitants due to shock or fire, take the safe road!