Anyone using 400w MH over a 55gal? (or similar size)

[Kaos]

I have a couple of 400w MH ballasts just sitting around and was thinking of putting them on my new 55 gal. project. If anyone is using them on a 55 or similar size (i.e. depth) please post a pic and bulb info. Thanks.

[Kurt03]

how high can you raise them? im guessing if you raised it up enough it would be ok. Seems like a little much if its positioned normally though.

[Afishianado]

I have a 400Watt 14k hamilton over my 58 gallon Oceanic. And alos running 2 36" VHO's normally, right now the ballast is on it's way to icecap for repai though. The bulb is about 10" from the water surface. In an enclosed hood with no fan. The temp of the tank is about 78 at night and between 82 and 85 during the day while the lights are on.

[mnestroy]

You got any photos of your hood with all those lights in it?

[affan]

Nope, sorry.

[McCrary]

Do you have any corals that would be light sensitive? If you just have a fish only tank with live rock then heat would be your only issue.

[ste6168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7481982#post7481982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurboSnail8898
Do you have any corals that would be light sensitive? If you just have a fish only tank with live rock then heat would be your only issue.

if you have a fowler tank then you might as well just use some cheap 30w flourescent bulbs and save the electricity...

JMO though, Mike

[Afishianado]

I can maybe take a picture in the next day or so.

[Kaos]

Afishianado: I would like to see some pic's also.

The tank that they are going on is a FOWLR now but is slowly being converted to a reef. I've been pricing lights lately and really don't see any sense in paying $500 + for a fixture when I have the ballasts and stuff here to make my own. I would prefer to use 175 watters but I only have 400w. I figure if I used a 20K bulb it would take some of the PAR out and therefore not be so bad. Also, if I ever decided to go SPS I would already be set.