250W or 400W?
 

I getting lights for my new 150g tank..24 inches deep. I have a huge (14 inch dia.) toadstool that will be in there. I have 1- 400 W halide for the new tank already, and I was going to place in the middle. I was told that I should get 2-250's for the sides if I was looking at keeping softies in the tank as well...apparently 3- 400W halides would be too much unless I just keep sps's and lps's. The toadstool is 12 inches tall and I was plannig on placing near the bottom which would give approx. 12 inches of water and 6 inches of air between it and the halides...I would prefer to go all 400's, but I want to keep leathers etc. as well :question:

If you can deal with the heat that 1200 watts of lighting will create, go with 400's.

I was thinking of placing 4 fans in the hood...do you think it is too much for the toadstool? I cant see it being too much considering it is still ALOT less that natural sunlight.

Re: 250W or 400W?
 

What are the dimensions of the tank? I light my 5 foot long 150 with two 400W and that seems to be the best configuration.

the tank is 6 ft long...so I figure 1 per 2 ft. do you think three 400 would be too much?

i don't think it's too much , although i firmly believe you could achieve the same results with all 250 's or a 400 in the middle. i run 2 250's and a 400 on a 225 gal sps tank[ 30'' in depth ] , and in general am quite pleased with the colors , growth and health of my corals , as well as my electrical bill is not thru the roof . Heat will also surely be an issue with 3 - 400's


hth -Russ

Its not too much, just be prepared to purchase a chiller. :eek:

You'll get a great affect plus look and less heat with 3 250wt HQI.

Just IMO.

I have always thought 'the more wattage, the better', but I think I have become more enlightened :rolleyes: to the fact that the 400 in the middle and 250's on the sides might be the better solution. I was looking at a few of the reef central and careef 'tanks of the month' and was surpised at how few ran all 400's on a 6ft tank. The ones that did,you couldnt see much difference when comparing results...on camera at least

I already have a 400W e-ballast w/20k light that I bought from Andresont online...so I will have to use it

check this one out
http://www.zeovit.com/DTOTQ/EdwardAn...shotagain3.jpg
3x250watt
10k 14k 10k

your reef looks phenominal! Are you one of the stops on the tanktour? If so.. I cant wait to see it :biggrin:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=692484

Read this thread... it may change your mind on the more light is better idea :idea:

thanks for the thread...I have to admit that most books/articles etc. I have read push more lighting...That thread with all the info has pretty much solidified the 2-250s...I would imagine that the 400 20k would be better than a 6500K bulb

remember there is more than just wattage, if you are comparing a normal 250 to a normal 400 then ya the 400 is better, but if you start throwing 250 watt HQI ballast into the picture (forget about double ended bulbs for now) then it is a whole different ball game. also you have to concider reflectors as they can make a huge difference, then there is tank dimentions, and so on.

so to make a accurate choice there is more info than just wattage you need.

Steve

sorry thats not my tank.. forgot to add who owns it..
invincible off the zeovit forum owns the tank..

well :redface: He's got a nice tank! I just finished moving my rock around again so my toadstool isnt out of the water. I cant wait ill I get the bigger tank going...and let the toad have it's own corner, just too big for a 72...really limits what I can do for aquascaping.