175 watt MH Versus 2x 36 watt PC

[crazydante23]

I am debating on which light I should place over my 56 gallon tank. I want to be able to keep corals. My tanks spec's are 30 inch long, 18 inches front to back and 24 inches deep. I put each light on the tank and they look almost the same in brightness. Maybe I need a canopy to install the MH so the light wont escape, confused. heres some pics. Should I leave the top glass on while the MH are stationed there? Maybe I should put 1 400 watt over the tank.thanks for your help
the MH is a coralvue 150/175 watt electronic MH Ballast with 175 watt bulb and a reflector.
the PC IS 2X36 WATT jebo 50/50

 

[crazydante23]

Anybody got opinion?

 

[DaBrowns]

Since you're keeping corals I would go with the halide. Not sure if the glass lid makes a difference as long as you keep it clean. I believe that the 150W halide will penetrate the water with the correct kelvin temp to a depth of 18 inches.

 

[Krish]

I agree...The metal halide will support more corals by far IMO in comparison to the pc's. The glass top has it's advantages and disadvantages. The advantage would be preventing fish from jumping and the bulb from getting wet. Disadvantage would be trapping heat and needing to be kept clean to allow light to penetrate properly (just to name a few)

 

[spongebob lover]

mh is the best way to go .
i got my lights hanging just like yours and i've had them that way for over 3 years and a half , yes it is a good idea to have a canopy because then you don't blind everytime you're trying to feed :lol: .
i got eggcrate and it's open in the middle which is where i got glass to protect the bulb .... i barely have temp swings but hopefully the husband builds me a canopy soon :lol:

 

[crazydante23]

Thanks for your replys, I will keep the MH on.

 

[crazydante23]

Hey spongebob what is eggcrate? can I have an example on how you placed that on your tank. It sounds like it beats cleaning the class all the time.

 

[Krish]

Here are some examples of egg crate in the meantime

http://www.azdr.com/Images/tankset3.jpg

 

[spongebob lover]

that's the stuff in Krish's link .
the husband measure the tank, then just made it to cover the lights .

here's a link .... if you see close in my pics, you'll she some white stuff... that's the eggcrate .

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10264&page=6