6.8watts/gallon reef

[jobforacash]

Hi im cash, im new to this site and new to the reef hobby, i currently have a 120 with 4x65 watt pc sattelite but am downsizing my tank to an oceanic 58 gallon reef ready tank. i have 1 400 metal halide kit and was wondering if that would be enough for a tank with dimensions of 36l x 18w x 21t.
thanks
i hope im posting in the right spot?

[motorslave]

Hi and wlcome to TRT!!!!!! 400 watts on a 58 may be overkill. The adage of watts per gallon is pretty much out dated these days. What you want to consider is the type of coral you want and the depth of your tank. Something else toconsider wih a ingl MH light is overage. You would get shaddows on the ends of the tank with just a single light. Maybe two 175 watters would be better. Another issues would be the heat generated by the light.
Maybe sell the 400 and buy a fixture or retro a dual 175 watt MH set up with T-5 supplimentation. T-5 s are the hot ticket these days when it comes to an alternative to MH. Less heat. With individual reflectors you can keep any coral in your tank with an edequate amount of bulbs.
What are you looking to keep in the tank?

[peterockfishguy]

With a tank that size i would go with t-5's only..Yes sell the 400 w set-up. You will still be able to grow anything you want and not be as hot like with the 175w MH from front to back i would go with this set-up..
use all 39w bulbs on single reflectors...... Great growth from the aqua and 6500, and nice color from the ati+

ATI Blue +, Aqua Blue,GE 6500,Pure Actinic, Aqua Blue

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!One 400,I don't think so.Either 2 175 or 6 -8 T-5 HO bulbs.

[spamreefnew]

i have a 45 gallon cube with 2 x 150 watt hqis and 2 x 65 watt p/cs on it . thats 9.5 watts per gallon. no issues what so ever the light is 4" above the waters surface. i have a clip on type fan that is on the same timer as my halides. my water temp stays at 79 year round. drawback=1.5 gallons of top-off water per day.