150 or 250W DE for 20" water depth?

[banditpowdercoat]

Interesting on the spread of DE/SE. I was wondering that. And as far as SPS and such, when I built my first tank, it was strictly a FOWLR, now it has Monti's, Clams, etc. I wouldn't mind a couple birdsnest and the easier to keep SPS in the new tank, but not ready fro the "finicky" ones yet.

So, with the SE, you are meaning running the bulbs lengthwise with the tank?

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

Interesting on the spread of DE/SE. I was wondering that. And as far as SPS and such, when I built my first tank, it was strictly a FOWLR, now it has Monti's, Clams, etc. I wouldn't mind a couple birdsnest and the easier to keep SPS in the new tank, but not ready fro the "finicky" ones yet.

So, with the SE, you are meaning running the bulbs lengthwise with the tank?

Yes, I run 2 x 250W SE over my six-footer and no one ever seems to notice.

[Tomjay]

I have the Giesemann Moonlight Infiniti 48" 2x250w DE HQI + 4X54W T5 HO my tank dimension 160 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm and the fixture is suspended 18” above and everything is happy

[bowkry]

on my 60 in tank I have 2x250 and 1x400 mh and 4x65 watt compac attinics but mine is a little bit deeper (25 in)

[alamo]

You need 1 MH per 4 square feet(2'X2'). You are close enough to get away with 2, but make them the 250W(for 150W, I would go with 3) and hang it off the ceiling a little higher.(the reason you need 250W)

[Myka]

What kind of corals, anemones, and clams do you plan to keep? It's impossible to suggest lighting otherwise.

[lorenz0]

if i were buying a MH fixture that compares to the coralife this would be my choice:

http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html

personally i think that power compacts are out dated and you will get way better results supplimenting with the t5's. This is actually the fixture i considered for myself

[banditpowdercoat]

Originally Posted by Myka

What kind of corals, anemones, and clams do you plan to keep? It's impossible to suggest lighting otherwise.

To be honest, I don't know. Some SPS, some LPS, some softies. I have a Crocea clam allready, who may be moving into the new tank. I wouold like a Birdsnest or 2, Monti's, couple different colored "sticks" and small Zoa's

[Myka]

If cost is an issue, then try to find a used setup for sure. I agree that SE is probably a better choice for you because it spreads light better, but be careful about the ballast and bulb combination you choose because there are some very poor 250w SE combinations. Another thought would be to use 175w electronic ballasts with Iwasaki 15K SE bulbs, this combo is a "par breaker" and puts out more par than many 250w setups.