5,200k 150w Metal Halide?

[jemram]

Sinice I have a 150W Arcadia Mini Pendant from when my tank was setup as a marine tank, would a 5,200k 150W Halide be too much light for an 80 litre 18" cube (22 US gallons)?

I know it will be on the bright side and I will clearly need CO2, but would it just be too much?

Thanks in advance

 

[plantbrain]

More light = more work, less stability, cost more initially and the electric bill.

Try 2-4 15w FL's or a 70w HQI MH.

That's still a lot of light BTW.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[jemram]

I already have the light fitting though, so cost wise it would just be about £35 for the 5,200k bulb and the cost of CO2 (which I plan on adding anyway).

 

[BHornsey]

Hi Jemram,

My advice is listen to plantbrain; he's THE Man for plants.

Light is the principle driver in plant growth. The more light, the more need for CO2 and nutrients. Any deficiencies anywhere and you will end up with a poor looking tank.

I hung a 150w MH over my Trigon 190 and for a week or so, it looked the business. However, growth was astronomical and I was constantly weeding. I also found that my CO2 levels weren't quite as good as I had thought and within a week I had an algae farm

I gave up and now have a 70w MH (just over 2wpg) and it's great. Everything grows, just more steadily, and it's a lot more forgiving of any shortfalls. Even a 70w MH over an 80L will give more light than you need.