Just for a change...

[SeaDog]

I thought I'd ask a lighting question

Being a complete plonker I set up my reef in a 110x-tall. That means I'm about 30" tall. Currently I have 2x175W MH & 2x65Wpc + 2x65W Ant. Not much light for a tall tank I know.
Recently I snagged another 2 175 MH ballasts.
The question is.... are they woth putting in there or am I just going to light up the top part of the tank more and not help the bottom? Am I going to require 400W to get down there?
I don't want the extra temp problems by adding the MH if it's not going to penitrate any further than the two I already have going.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[wanareef]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I thought I'd ask a lighting question

Being a complete plonker I set up my reef in a 110x-tall. That means I'm about 30" tall. Currently I have 2x175W MH & 2x65Wpc + 2x65W Ant. Not much light for a tall tank I know.
Recently I snagged another 2 175 MH ballasts. Plonker move
The question is.... are they woth putting in there or am I just going to light up the top part of the tank more and not help the bottom? Nope, I wouldn't do it, just a waste IMO Am I going to require 400W to get down there? I would

I don't want the extra temp problems by adding the MH if it's not going to penitrate any further than the two I already have going.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by wanareef

Plonker move

Only if I paid for them

[wanareef]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I thought I'd ask a lighting question
Recently I snagged another 2 175 MH ballasts.

You mean that you didn't pay for them Just make sure to add some fans in the hood to keep the heat down, when you get the 400w's.
So how tall are you? And can you reach the bottom of the tank, with your feet on the floor

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by wanareef

So how tall are you? And can you reach the bottom of the tank, with your feet on the floor

Yeah it's a pain having to get in my scuba gear to get to the bottom of the tank, still makes for cheap diving vacations

[SPC]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

The question is.... are they woth putting in there or am I just going to light up the top part of the tank more and not help the bottom?

Yes, even another fifty 175 watters would not penetrate any further.

Am I going to require 400W to get down there?

This all depends on what you are trying to keep " down there". I use VHO only lighting but I make sure that I keep all my SPS corals (Caribbean species only) at least mid way up in the tank.
Steve

[SeaDog]

thanks, that's what I thought. I'm not planning on keeping any SPS so hopefully I'll be ok with what I have.

Thanks for the help guys

Steve