Do i have too much lighting?

cpeterson9 · 01-19-2013, 04:51 PM

I have 2 150watt metal halide bulbs for a 50 gallon tank that used to be a reef tank. My question is, is this too much lighting for a planted aquarium or the fish that will be in it?

HEINEKEN357 · 01-19-2013, 05:02 PM

Whats the dimensions of the tank? 2 will be a lot of light you could raise the lights really high or just use one halide. Will you have co2 and dosing ferts?

cpeterson9 · 01-19-2013, 05:40 PM

48"l, 13"w, 18"t, and the light sits 7" above the water

micheljq · 01-21-2013, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpeterson9

48"l, 13"w, 18"t, and the light sits 7" above the water

Hi, what is the color temperature fo the HQ lamps (Kelvins)? You might as well put them 1 foot, maybe more above the water. Metal halide bulbs are quite powerful. Probably some testing/adjustements to do, and the color temp must be in a range for freshwater plants.

Michel.

**Hoppy** · 01-21-2013, 06:46 PM

If you had enough light for a reef tank you now have way too much for a planted tank, unless you are raising the lights much farther above the tank. The color temperature of the lights is probably not very good for a planted tank either, if you are using the same bulbs.

01-19-2013, 04:51 PM	#1
cpeterson9 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: so cal Posts: 18	Do i have too much lighting? I have 2 150watt metal halide bulbs for a 50 gallon tank that used to be a reef tank. My question is, is this too much lighting for a planted aquarium or the fish that will be in it?

01-19-2013, 05:02 PM	#2
HEINEKEN357 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: las vegas Posts: 551	Whats the dimensions of the tank? 2 will be a lot of light you could raise the lights really high or just use one halide. Will you have co2 and dosing ferts? __________________ Filstar pimp#48 ~~55g Xp3-Xp1 running diy clear co2 reactor pressurized co2 216w t5ho~~ 24g Aquapod 60w led Pressurized co2 paintball system DIY blacked out stand 28g 18x18x20 Cube 40w led pressurized co2 paintball system Diy Ada stand

01-21-2013, 06:46 PM	#5
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (52/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,200	If you had enough light for a reef tank you now have way too much for a planted tank, unless you are raising the lights much farther above the tank. The color temperature of the lights is probably not very good for a planted tank either, if you are using the same bulbs. __________________ Hoppy

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01-19-2013, 05:40 PM	#3
cpeterson9 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: so cal Posts: 18	48"l, 13"w, 18"t, and the light sits 7" above the water