175W metal halide with 14k EVC bulb with 4 39w t5 HO

[TranZ]

I just bought a 175w metal halide from one on the member on RC and just wonder what corals can i keep under this lights? can i finally keep clams? anemone? all LPS? Please let me know. Thanks in advance.

[marshalrckman]

Whoa good find.You can keep all kinds of new stuff now,clams,sps,lps,a whole new world of corals and inverts has been opened up.Congrats!

[TranZ]

Thanks i paid $130 shipped for the halides which comes with the bulb and a spyder reflector. the owner said its 6 months old so i might need to change the bulb soon. BTW my tank is a 65g with 24" H so i'm not sure what i can keep in it.

[Gryz]

Though it is 175w, on a 65g it will not be that much...2.7w per gallon.
MH will penetrate deeper in the water though than PC or other lights.

You may be able to keep SOME LPS, definately softies though.
What lights did you have on the tank before...maybe you could use those for more light. You could supplement with other light types like VHO, PC or T-5.

If you really want to keep LPS, you could use your new light on say a 20g maybe up to a 30g and get way more wattage per gallon.

[TranZ]

i thought its not watt per gallon but the penetration of the light. i'm not sure about the clams but i thought this will be enough for LPS.
Thanks for the input Grysinski but i need more input from other members of the forum. anyone else have an opinion on this? thanks

[Doctor_Reef]

Hi TranZ.... It sounds like you have some t5's with the MH??? You need to place the clams under the MH and some of the LPS under it also...Of course there are some LPS that you don't need MH lighting...but you should be ok with the lighting you have for clams and LPS...just move the coral where they will get the proper lighting.... :thumbsup:

[gman0526]

That should be ok for a derasa or squamosa clams. I use 175w MH on my 75, if I'm not mistaken it's the same depth. What K rating is the MH bulb? How old is it?

[TranZ]

The bulb is 14k and its about 6 months. i probably need to change the bulb soon. does anyone have any opinion on bulbs? what work best and looks best?

[gman0526]

I like the look of 14K-15K bulbs. Not too white, not too blue.

[Doctor_Reef]

Ditto's...on the 14 15 K....I run the 14K myself....

[icereefer]

myself I like the 10k reeflux by coralvue, and suppliment with actinics.
again it depends on the eye of view.
my corals just seem to grow faster under the 10k,but then again I have a propagation tank not a show tank.

[SHANGAI]

i made these week a 72 oceanic tank with 2 400w 14k and it looks great. even the clams and a new flower pot looks very happy..... i only use 8 hours cycle