What can I use a Hamilton 48” 4x64w light for?

I have a T40 laptop, minus drive, battery, memory etc that I am thinking of trading a guy for his Hamilton compact 4x64w light system. He says it is just the compact lights in there, no MH’s or anything special in it, does not even know the model number either . He says it has a 400w ballast in it, but, who knows? I plan to mount it on a 20-24” deep all around tank, reef, polyps, corals…etc. Don’t think I am going to go too exotic with marine life like clams and such, but, was wondering what I could use the light for, or, should I wait for a T5 or T10 to come along? Would it be easier to ask what I could NOT put in the tank with this light?

 

That light would be best suited for a paper weight . It won't keepmuch alve other then fish and algae even with the best bulbs it would be weak . A Fish only tank it would be fine but not for any corals . on a 24 in deep tank

 

I think it's a 48" power compact fluorescent 4X65watt, that is more common.
Assuming you have dual daylight 6,700K/10,000K or 10,000K for 2 of the bulbs, and
2 420nm actinic bulbs, you should be fine for softies, leathers, and mushrooms.
Since the tank is 20-24" deep, it won't penetrate as far down as in a more shallow tank.
What size tank and how many gallons? I didn't catch that part.

 

it would like a true coral growout tank, one of the 6" deep ones to make softies grow insanely fast other than that you'd have to keep corals in the top 9" or so of the tank for them to get good lighting and you probably couldnt move past soft corals and shrooms

 

Tangster, tell me how you REALLY feel. I see your avitar and I am ready for it. The best is when kartman get an A**L probe, the first one, ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Well tangster, whats I need, no metal halides yet, for a 48x15x20?

I have a few tanks I am going to be playing with. I am picking up a 36x15x17 and stand for $100 to start a cycle with, then, I may go to a 48x15x20/24, or whatever size I can get; a 15 deep is rare. Not so rare, but, "I am not paying a lot for this muffler", AKA I am a cheap bast***d lol.

 

prolly be better off to sell the laptop and use the cash to buy a used or new light fixture, someone linked a site yesterday with really cheap t5's

those would light a 20" deep pretty well, wouldn't stick a clam on the bottom but it'd keep softies and lps no problems

Here is the forum post link is in it
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/can-prices-right-50068.html

 

that guy who posted that thread , is a good guy i think