reef lighting question

i have a 55 gallon soon to be reef aquarium. i found this 48 inch metal halide hood for a very good price that im hesitant to back down. its a hood with mounting brackets about 3 inches above the aquarium and it has two 250w halides and 8 LEDS with a cooling fan. is 500w overkill for an 55 gallon aquarium? i plan on keeping SPS, LPS and or soft corals. the metal halides do have a splash glass over them and i have 2 all glass hoods, so would this reduce overheating my aquarium? sorry about reposting this, my internet said it canceled but appearently it went through still...

 

That sounds like a good deal. I would take the splash guard off your tank for fear the halides would melt it...run a fan like a computer fan to cool it
I think if you shade the more sensitive corals it would be OK but i am no watts per gallon expert

 

2 250's would be a TON of light and heat for a 55, I personally would pass on it unless you plan to upgrade to a 120 any time soon and have a chiller lined up. I had 3 250's over my 180 and temps got over 85 some days with 2 big fans in the canopy, and a larger one on the sump.

~Will.