400w Sodium Halide lamp, can I use it....

[R2Dn00b]

I have this 400w sodium lamp left over from my 'Plant' growing days *ehem* and wanted to know if I could use it on a Reef tank set up or is it too powerful?

I am guessing I would have to suspend it about 1-2ft away from the surface of my tank which will be 36 x 15 x 12 (the lamp housing is 36" long lol)

Here are some pics

http://www.cshq.co.uk/other/lamp_1.jpg

http://www.cshq.co.uk/other/lamp_2.jpg

http://www.cshq.co.uk/other/lamp_3.jpg

Need to tidy up the electrics, I removed the ballast from the lamp housing itself as it weighs a tonne and gets really hot.

p.s. it gives off an orange glow when warming up but it turns white when up to full operating temperature, you can't physically look at it is so bright.

[R2Dn00b]

Anyone?

[SaltyDawg]

I would doubt it would be in the correct spectrum for a tank, but I can't say for sure. If you do use it make sure you have good ventilation to allow the heat to dissapate and not over heat your tank.
Wayne

[FishinInTheDark]

I would think if it's a plant bulb, it's probably in the 6700K range. Corals grow really well under that light, but they tend to look kind of brown. You could a.) get a new bulb for that fixture or b.) supplement with actinic lighting to tone down the brown.

Good luck,

Conni

[jman785]

Yes, corals due tend to be yellowish under the 6500k spectrum...you can read about spectrums in my light comparison thread.

Conni, has stated it perfectly....if you are sure of the spectrum, then you should be alright.

Wayne, has also stated it perfect, make sure you ventilate the fixture, because I'm pretty sure Sodium lights run hot. I'd do some research on the bulb too, to make sure its a safe spectrum and it won't cause an outbreak of algae.