Would one 175w MH+2x54w HO T5 give me enough light coverage over a 55g?

[Corndork2]

Would one 175w MH+2x54w HO T5 give me enough light coverage over a 55g? That would ideally be the most in expensive lighting setup to start with. If that doesnt work wht about a 250w HQI + 2x54w T5?

[rleechb]

What're u trying to keep?

I think you'd be better off w/ 2 halides. 1 halide over a 4' tank is not going to give you very good coverage.

[reefturkey]

I second that. If you are going the 175 rout I would skip it and go for the 150 HQI. The 150 actually is a little brighter than the 175. I would go with 2 bulbs.

[dragonforce]

Originally posted by reefturkey
I second that. If you are going the 175 rout I would skip it and go for the 150 HQI. The 150 actually is a little brighter than the 175. I would go with 2 bulbs.

You should go with a couple 175s or 250s

to say the 175 puts out less than the 150 DE is false.

I run a 175 hamilton 10k on a magnetic ballast, it puts out over 200 watts of power and twice the par of most other setups.

[Corndork2]

I have a 36" reflector...would that help my coverage?

[JCTewks]

Originally posted by Corndork2
I have a 36" reflector...would that help my coverage?

Not enough!

You'd be better off goiing all T5 or running 2 MH w/2 T5's. You just won't get enough coverage from one stationary MH. You could always put it on a mover and be fine with one