175W MH depth question

[Chad]

Well, I would be lighting a 18" X 18" X 24" cube tank . I have a 250W x2 PFO ballast right now and a 175w (something).. I didn't want to have the huge 2x PFO ballast hanging around the tank for no reason. I thought the 175w might give me enough lighting but I am not so sure.

I was going to do the following;

55w CF atinic
175w 10K
55w (unknown)

Any other configurations people think would be better? T5's are an interesting prospect but I don't think they will span well over 18", I looked at the bulb sizes, they are 24" min., I think.

[Doug]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005...=iwasaki%20175

I think the 175 Iwasaki may just fit your situation then as you have a ballast already.

http://216.187.96.54/vbulletin/showt...t=175w+iwasaki

The 1st link has several other 175w bulbs for comparison.

[Myka]

If you decide to go with the 175w, then your main concern should be water clarity (different than quality, eh? ). Carbon would not be an option...you'd need it, as well as regular maintenance needed to keep your water quality up as well. As long as your water clarity is very high, you shouldn't have a problem. I don't forsee SPS doing terribly well 3/4 of the way down the rock work though. I think you'd be limited to the upper 1/3 of the tank for SPS.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Myka

If you decide to go with the 175w, then your main concern should be water clarity (different than quality, eh? ). Carbon would not be an option...you'd need it, as well as regular maintenance needed to keep your water quality up as well. As long as your water clarity is very high, you shouldn't have a problem. I don't forsee SPS doing terribly well 3/4 of the way down the rock work though. I think you'd be limited to the upper 1/3 of the tank for SPS.

If I may. Why do you say that. {although you are correct about clarity}. The threads I linked show the par value of the Iwasaki compared with the 250,s that many run. Mind you, thats one specific bulb, as most other 175 bulbs are less. Plus he,s running a pair of supplemental lights. If not running that bulb, then I would agree with you.

If going to 250, then the proper ballast/bulb combo is required or you will end up with less output than the Iwasaki & compacts.

If running compact actinics, then using something like the SA 10K bulb, that has superb par and comes at a decent price would be good.