[ilovemash]

Ok So Im working on this 180 gallon and I have the following: 150 watt MH, 150 watt MH, 400 watt MH, and six 55 watt PCs. Id prefer to rig this up for maximum PAR and watts per gallon, what would you guys recommend?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

If you are completely locked into the lighting you have.....you have a problem.the 2 150's are to weak and 400 is to much and pc's are just about the worst lights you can get when it cames to par.In a perfect world 3 250 mh's with t-5 actinic supplimentation would be a far better choice.

[ilovemash]

Cant I put the 400 on one side and the two 150s on the other, and spread the PCs out evenly? Why wouldnt that work? I do not understand how 400 is too much.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I have seen bulbs of higher wattage placed in the center with lower wattage left and right.But it has always been more like a 250 center and 2 175's left and right.With your 400 it will have to be high off the water and the 150's would need to be down close to have a ghost of a chance of reach the bottom.This arrangement would leave those poor little cf's hanging in space.Could you do it?Yes.would it work?Almost.Would I do it? No.I would try to sell what I had and put the money towards a reasonable light fixture or a retro set up of some kind.

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

I have seen bulbs of higher wattage placed in the center with lower wattage left and right.But it has always been more like a 250 center and 2 175's left and right.With your 400 it will have to be high off the water and the 150's would need to be down close to have a ghost of a chance of reach the bottom.This arrangement would leave those poor little cf's hanging in space.Could you do it?Yes.would it work?Almost.Would I do it? No.I would try to sell what I had and put the money towards a reasonable light fixture or a retro set up of some kind.

Even though I do not know a whole lot about lighting, I agree with you. It would make the most sense to sell what you have and buy some new lights.