Enough light for 72g bow front?

[PhoenixOne]

I know this question has to have been asked in the past but I can't find any threads that helps me out. About a year ago, I wanted to upgrade from my Orbit compact 265w pc 48" hood to MH. My previous LFS told me that two 150's with power compacts were more than enough to put anything I want in the tank (acro's, clams etc.) I then purchased a hood from Catalina Aquarium which was custom made and has two 150 hqi's 4 55w actinics and 8 blue moonlights which brings the total wattage to 520 not counting the moonlights of course. It is sitting 6" above the tank on legs. The hood looks really sharp. Had it for about a year. After reading some other threads it seems most people have at least 2 175w and up for their 75 gallons. Is this enough to put anything in there or did I get bad advice from my previous lfs?

 

[Sean]

I would say 2x250 and you can keep "whatever you want"...
sort of
The 150 you may find a lot of things are going to need to be up high in the tank. Some clams may not do well on the floor and such. The 150's are good but not extreme and no where near over the top.

 

[PhoenixOne]

Aw man. Ugh. Ok. Is there a way I can switch out the 150's to 2 250's? Or is my only option is to buy a whole new hood?

 

[Sean]

ballast has to match the bulb

 

[PhoenixOne]

Sean, what about the sockets. Do I have to change those too or are those ok? The current ballast I have has two three proged plugs. Can I buy and connect a 250w ballast like an icecap to my hood?

 

[Sean]

I don't know about the hood.

a few facts
250 watt bulbs are larger so you may have to gut the hood to put a new socket in. but some sockets are adjustable.
250 watt bulbs are hotter, some hoods can't handle the heat
you may need to rewire the whole hood for the ballast

sometimes it's just easier to buy a new one.
Or you could just use the 150's there not so bad you can still do a lot with them.

 

[PhoenixOne]

Acros and clams have to be mounted close to the lights right?

 

[Sean]

generally yes with your lights

 

[PhoenixOne]

I can do that. Much easier than buying new lights that's for sure.

 

[tommy818]

250 hqi are powerful lights.if u use 250s on a 75 i would hang the lights not use the legs so u can make ajustments acros are light friendly but if the light is to intence they can bleach out .plus the closer u keep the lights the more heat,

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I Have (2)250 Watts And (2)96 Watt Cf And Coral Just Grows,have Not Had A Problem Ever.think About Upgrade

 

[PhoenixOne]

Well, unfortunately, the wife, once again, will not let me hang pendants from the livingroom ceiling.:irked:. I tell ya, the wife thing is starting to piss me off and I'm going to stand up for myself!!!! (don't tell her I said that....) I think that is the reason why none of my corals grow is because I don't have enough light. Searching forums and such back when I was in the market for MH, I saw everywhere and was told by lfs's about how much light is too much light for my size tank which is why I got two 150's and 4 PC. Man...this sucks.