Single 150W DE MH on 75G?

[Charley Diesing]

I plan on keeping almost all softies and some select LPS. Probably going to be using 20k bulb.

Thoughts?

[zooman72]

Probably pushing it on a 4' aquarium - would be better off with a pair...

[Charley Diesing]

Probably pushing it on a 4' aquarium - would be better off with a pair...

I'm guessing you think there will be pretty bad dark spots on the edges?

[zooman72]

I ran a 150W MH a few years back on one of my 40B's (36" long), and the ends were quite a bit dimmer, although I was not employing the biggest reflector available.

I still think a pair would be your best option.

[Radioheadx14]

I had 2 on a 75 a long time ago, and I thought 2 was too dim, but softies grew. One would not look good

[ericarenee]

You will have to have two of them. not because of lack of light because of light distribution of these types of bulbs,

Here is something to think about..

you can buy decent led lights for 130.00 each on Amazon.. you will need two of them.. You will NOT need a chiller to use them and they use way less power then helide .The helide will use a 50.00 bulb every 4-6 months depending on bulb you buy and Brand / age of your ballast .

the bulb cost and electric used will pay for the leds very quickly .. especially if you have to buy a chiller or use some other form of heat control ..


I used two mh over a 70 and a 90 for years .. ohh and with the mh you prob need actinic bulbs as well t5 or led........ but softies will do ok with without them just not look as vivid

good luck