Metal Halide too hot for small tanks ?

[mike ling]

My LFS guy tells me that MH lighting is often too hot for small tanks like my 16" high 45 gallon; that customers often return them to the store.
They say I only need compact florescents.

Is this just a sales pitch to sell JBJ compact flourescents that they specialize in ?

[tendar]

If setup right you will have no problems. THere is a guy locally that has a 175 on a 2.5 gall tank.
Have the halide around 10" above the water and a fan blowing accross when the halide is on and you should have no problems.

[topQuark]

I'd like to hear more about this 2.5 gallon tank... I've got a 5.5 gallon nano, but 2.5 is pretty hard to believe. Is there a sump on that 2.5? Where does the heater go?!?

[YodaHart]

I have a 175 watt over my 29 gallon and I don't have any heat problems. I even have a totally enclosed canopy, but I do have 3 fans blowing through it.

Even if you get the complact flourescents, you may need fans in the canopy. Those bulbs can get pretty hot too.

[butaford]

I run dual 175W MH on my 55 with no heating issues. A friend of mine also runs a 175W MH on eclipse 15gal. with no problems. I find most LFS will try to sell you on their brand/type of lighting.

[tendar]

topQuark
I have not seen the tank just heard him mention it at one of our meetings he had one dont know how he has it setup.