metal halide question

[gotnohaylo]

my lfs wonts to hook me up with 2 400 watt mh for my 140 gallon tank they have 2 new blubs at 14 k...... my question is would thows too lights run my 140 perfect ? thats what they are telling me and i cant beleave them all the time they were they same people telling me powercompacts would work on the 140 lol... any ways i need you guys thoughts

[gotnohaylo]

i built my top its made real nicely it 10 inchtall with thows lights in a hood like that is thir some thing to worry about ?

[Loverotties]

How deep is your tank?

[mg]

Tank dimensions would help. I run my 140 with 1 10K 400W halide in a Luminarc III. My tank is an odd shape though at 36"x36"x25" but is SPS dominated with no problems.

[gotnohaylo]

25 inchs deep 72 inch lomg 18 inch wide

[mg]

Originally Posted by gotnohaylo

25 inchs deep 72 inch lomg 18 inch wide

I would use 3 250's. It would also depend on what there is for braces on the top of the tank. If 1 brace in the center, 2 bulbs may work. If 2 braces definately 3 bulbs.

[gotnohaylo]

you lost me ? what you mean buy braces ? thir is a peace of glass 1/2inch thick at the top of the tank from back wall to front wall in the center is that what your meaning ?

[gotnohaylo]

i would like to hear peoples thought on haveing 2 400 watt 14 k mh in a 140 and if thirs any thing to worry about if i installed them under my top thats 10 inchs tall please .... anyone ???

[OIIIIIO]

with a 10" canopy, I'd think that'd put the bulbs very close to the waterline.

[Loverotties]

3 250W should do!

[gotnohaylo]

ok i can do that whats the reason for bringing them down to the water line ? wouldent i have some troble with the water temp ? would the to lights be enought at 400 watts to put what ever i wont in thir :? also thir 14 k i wouldent need any other kind of lighting ?????atonics ?? the store is offering me 400 watt mh not 250 they are used months old so i will get a nice deal if i go with them ....i just need to have some advice never realy used them

[Wiskey]

With only one center brace on a 6 foot tank I would also use only 2 bulbs,.. you can use the center and edge areas for lower light corals, and put the really high light stuff in the center.

I think 2*400W 14K 10" off the water in a 140 would be a good light setup It will be a power hog, but it will do fine.

THe real question is what kind of corals are you planning to keep?

Whiskey

[know-it-all]

Personaly I hate the 14k bulbs
I never see the same growth rates as running 10k bulbs

[gotnohaylo]

i like musrooms and zoos frog spawn brains tourchs and my wife wonts a clown with a anemone nothing out of this world iam simple i have a 37 gallon an would like to take frags from thir and put them in the big tank when its up.... so no troble with 2 400 watt lights ? i wouldent need any other lighting if they are 14k ?

[know-it-all]

You may be happier with (3) 250w bulbs

sounds like the LFS want's to
1. get rid of 2 400w ballasts laying around
2. gets a bigger cut out of selling 2 400w over 3 250w