Metal Hilide Question.

I am working on a design for a 100g reef aquarium. (L48" x W19" x H25.5")

Would a single 400W 14000K Metal Hilide work for my setup?

 

Maybe depending on reflector, and placement of rockwork/corals. 2 would be better.

 

You would have very uneven coverage with that... I would recommend 2 250w or 2 400w with nice quality reflectors.

 

Listen to Dingo...he's the Metal Halide Bulb. I'm just a lowly Feather Duster.

 

HAHAHA.....Funny

What Dingo said

 

No it wont work, on MH isnt enough to cover 4 feet, i would not do 2x400 thats alot of heat and i know some one who had those on a 120 and they changed them out due to bleaching and heat problems. Id do 2x250 watters

 

Thank you! That helps out a lot. This will be my first tank in this hobby. And I'm working an a budget. Aprox $200-250 for balasts and bulbs. Am I being unreasonable in my expectations?

 

Each icecap ballast is $118 and each lumatek ballast is $109
You should go with a lumenbrite or lumenmax reflector for $119 each. Simple spider reflectors really are bad quality but $35

 

Where are you buying your ballasts, because I'll start shopping there. The lowest price I've seen online is about $130 for an icecap 250w ballast and lumateks were a little more. You can look for used ones, but I would recommend buying new ballasts and used reflectors. You don't want to inherit someone else's problem. So generally, yes, your budget doesn't seem to work unless you buy are used equipment. Consider this, the bulbs alone will cost at least $120 for anything decent , unless you get used bulbs, which IMO, is a waste of money unless you know exactly how long they have been used for and how long they are on for.