I'm an ex saltwater guy setting up a planted tank. I have two 250w, 6500k halides. Will this much light fry the plants? What about one halide? Tank is standard 75 gallon, fluorite &osmokote plus, pressureized co2. Hard scape is finished & filling water now (RODI)
Metal halides question
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@ 8".. PAR values for asst. bulbs/ballasts in thw 250W range. Higher K range than 6500k but data should be close:
Basically one is a lot of light for a fw tank of 16- 18" depth..
You can use MH on your tank, if you can mount them fairly far away from it. At one time, on my 90 gal planted tank I used two 150w 6500K MHs. I had them mounted about 18 inches above the tank. I'd say that for 250w MHs you want to start about 3 ft above the tank and adjust up or down as needed.
You can also get the same effect by useing translucent white plastic as a cover on the tank.
Consider also that MHs consume a lot of power and produce a lot of heat. Often it can be far less expensive, long term, to replace the lighting with LEDs or T5s.
You can also get the same effect by useing translucent white plastic as a cover on the tank.
Consider also that MHs consume a lot of power and produce a lot of heat. Often it can be far less expensive, long term, to replace the lighting with LEDs or T5s.
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