175w vs. 250w MH lighting

[zeltar]

What is the benefit of the higher wattage bulbs?

I currently have a dual 175w hood and am contemplating an upgrade to 3 bulbs for a 60" tank. The tanks is 24" deep and I get good "ripple" on the bottom but was curious at to the pros and cons of a larger system besides the need for more electricity.

Thanks in advance.:razz:

 

[Gordo]

It all depends on what you keep / want to keep. What are your current / future inhabitants?

~Gordo~

 

[zeltar]

It all depends on what you keep / want to keep. What are your current / future inhabitants?

~Gordo~

Currently just air as I am in the process of moving to a place where I can set my tanks up again. I eventulally want the reef/fish combo plate. Previously I had mushrooms, leather etc..
the basics and then some smaller fish: flame angel, green chromis, pruple takn ,red sea sailfin, quite a few gobies and sally lightfoot crabs, snails etc.

I would like to someday be able to keep the water quality for stonies and the such. Needless to say I have some time and am still "planning" the plumbing system.

So if I were to just add another 175w for a total of three would that suffice for the stonies down the road? Or would it be wiser to upgrade now to the 250's?

Thanks

 

[wooddood]

you may get buy with another 175 but in my opinion i would go with three 250 on a 6 ft tank 24 inches deep supplemented with pc's my preference or vho's.

 

[Craig Manoukian]

The rule of thumb is one light per two feet of tank in length. This would be 3 bulbs in your case. Adding a 250 watt fixture in the middle flanked by your 175 watters would be an alternative, eh?

 

[acropora]

The rule of thumb is one light per two feet of tank in length. This would be 3 bulbs in your case. Adding a 250 watt fixture in the middle flanked by your 175 watters would be an alternative, eh?

I like the way you think.
That is a good suggestion for your tank.On a six foot tank the more intense light in the center would be more noticable.On a 5' tank it will not be as noticable.You can place more light demanding species in the center of your tank.This way you can always upgrade to all 250 watt bulbs ,if you desire,without wasting any money now.

 

[Craig Manoukian]

This way you can always upgrade to all 250 watt bulbs ,if you desire,without wasting any money now.

You said what I meant. Thanks for clarifying this important point.

 

[zeltar]

I like the way you think.
That is a good suggestion for your tank.On a six foot tank the more intense light in the center would be more noticable.On a 5' tank it will not be as noticable.You can place more light demanding species in the center of your tank.This way you can always upgrade to all 250 watt bulbs ,if you desire,without wasting any money now.

Do not 250w bulbs require new ballasts? I have an aluminum canopy that has 2 175's and 2 4' VHO atinics and fans at each end with separate ballasts for each bulb type. I believe that it is a Hamilton system but not sure as I bought it used from my LFS.

Let me know if I can just upgrade bulbs because that would be much cheaper than an entire new system.

Thanks

 

[acropora]

Keep dreaming.:lol: You will have to buy a new ballast,but one new 250 would be a safe way to go.The point being,if you buy one 175 watt ballast now to complete a three bulb scenario and down the line you see that 250 watters will be better for your SPS and clams; you will have to buy three new ballasts. So,if you buy one 250 now,you will hedge your bet.

 

[kc]

I have the same setup as zelter but only 5' tank. Currently has 2x 175W MH and 2 x 5' VHO. Do you recommand us to go to 400W MH, I remembered it is cheaper and more efficient according to Feb's meeting.

Thanks
KC

 

[acropora]

zeltar also has a 5' tank.I personally think that you will be much better off with 250's over 400 watters with a 24' high tank. You will have plenty of light and not have to deal with the excessive heat the 400's will produce.

 

[zeltar]

zeltar also has a 5' tank.I personally think that you will be much better off with 250's over 400 watters with a 24' high tank. You will have plenty of light and not have to deal with the excessive heat the 400's will produce.

Ok, I understand the logistics now, thanks. So check this deal out on Ebay . It has one ballast for the three 250's. Does that sound like a safe bet? They have claims of being UL listed etc., but I just dont want the house to catch on fire.

Thanks for all of the good information.

 

[acropora]

I am not familiar with that ballast on E bay. However if you would like specific recomendations you can E mail me or inquire on the Reef Exotics forum. Thank you