how many watts for a 55?

[Cheeser]

i dont know what brand it is but this guys is selling a metal halide fixture with 2 250watt bulbs and the 2 actinic strips.
is that enough for a standard 55?
and is it better than the marineland reef capable leds?

 

[Bifferwine]

That's a lot of light for a 55 -- maybe even too much. And the power consumption (your electricity bill) is going to be wayyyy more than if you are using the LEDs (which are usually 1 or 3 watts each, vs. at least 500 watts for the MH fixture you are talking about).

 

[Bluesaltwater87]

ya try to go LED if you can.

 

[fastrd400]

Betting you can find and pick up a nice 4 bulb T5 fixture relatively cheap that would do well on that tank. I ran this same sort of set up over a standard 55 years ago and had no issues.

 

[Cheeser]

ok what about an ecoray60? would i be able to get away with 1? for at least maybe a month for me to be able to save up for another?

 

[BL1]

You'd definitely need 2 of them on a 4ft tank but, you could use one till you get the other the sides of the tank are just gonna be really dark without a second unit.

 

[Cheeser]

ok cool. how high up should i hang it?

 

[BL1]

That's up to you but, I think Smitty had to hang his 5-6 ft above his tank so he didn't burn any corals.

 

[Cheeser]

ok ill see whats up. i can get it by wedsnday.