CBRFIREMAN
Member
Is it possible to just pull out my 400w metal halide bulbs and replace them with 250W bulbs and everything will be fine? Or will I have to buy new balasts?
MH 400w to 250W
- Thread starter CBRFIREMAN
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You are into it for new ballasts too, sorry
He is trying to put 250w into a 400w ballast, or did I read that wrong
CBRFIREMAN
Member
Thanks I didnt know if it worked like a flourescent ballast where if you put a smaller wattage bulb in, it would'nt fry it.
What if I used one 400w ballast to light 3 175w bulbs, would that even be worth trying to wire up or should I stick with the triple 400W combo. I only have some softies right now but want to get into some SPS and other light demanding inhabitants.
So the reason for me to want to go smaller with wattage is for the existing softies. Which are under 12 PCs right now. But if you guys think my current tank can handle the three 400 watters, then coooool.
What if I used one 400w ballast to light 3 175w bulbs, would that even be worth trying to wire up or should I stick with the triple 400W combo. I only have some softies right now but want to get into some SPS and other light demanding inhabitants.
So the reason for me to want to go smaller with wattage is for the existing softies. Which are under 12 PCs right now. But if you guys think my current tank can handle the three 400 watters, then coooool.
Thanks I didnt know if it worked like a flourescent ballast where if you put a smaller wattage bulb in, it would'nt fry it.
What if I used one 400w ballast to light 3 175w bulbs, would that even be worth trying to wire up or should I stick with the triple 400W combo. I only have some softies right now but want to get into some SPS and other light demanding inhabitants.
So the reason for me to want to go smaller with wattage is for the existing softies. Which are under 12 PCs right now. But if you guys think my current tank can handle the three 400 watters, then coooool.
I'm thinking no. They aren't interchangable.
danno14
That's Dumas!
If you can deal with the heat and power bill, you will likely have faster growth and potentially better color with the 3 400's. That's what I would do...and did
What are the dimensions of your tank?
You are correct in your thinking.
You are correct in your thinking.
burning2nd
Well-known member
enlightening indeed
shallowreef
Well-known member
thats a huge clam!
SueT
Well-known member
depending on the depth of the tank 250w halides will work fine for any sps coral. You can even place them low in the tank with no color loss. Again depending on the depth of the tank.
Scooterman
Well-known member
If you try & put a 250 Watt lamp using a 400w ballast it will burn the lamp out & possibly explode it, no doubt replace them.
CBRFIREMAN
Member
You should be able to do the 250W. I agree with what Sue stated.
CBRFIREMAN
Member
What do you mean by "low in the tank with no color loss". If I place the, 400watters, for example too low I will loose color in my corals?
I believe she is talking about coral placement, but I could be wrong.
Just an example here, I ran 6 400w bulbs over my 300, they were at least 13" above the waterline. HTH
