MH lighting

[kourt11234]

hey guys/gals
I have a dual mh ballast that is rated for 400w and was running 175w. Recently one bulb went out. Question? should I used the 400w blubs in a 125gal tank. the goal of the tank is to have a mix of lps/sps and ploy/muchroom etc. Which way should i go. 400w or replace everything for a 250w set up......thanks kourt

 

[Deanos]

The depth of the tank typically dictates the recommended wattage of a metal halide bulb. I'll let someone else speak on mixing bulb and ballast wattages.

 

[cali_reef]

hey guys/gals
I have a dual mh ballast that is rated for 400w and was running 175w. Recently one bulb went out. Question? should I used the 400w blubs in a 125gal tank. the goal of the tank is to have a mix of lps/sps and ploy/muchroom etc. Which way should i go. 400w or replace everything for a 250w set up......thanks kourt

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I only seen one ballast that can run different wattage bulbs, forgot the name but it was over a grand for one ballast.

Take a picture of your ballast and post it here, most likely it is not able to run different wattage bulbs.

 

[nanoreefer22]

If the ballast is rated for 2 x 400watt halide bulbs, only 400watt bulbs should be used on the ballast. Using other water bulbs could cause fire and should/will significantly decrease your bulb life.

Using 175watt bulbs on a 400watt ballast is by far one of the worst things you can do....At least thats way I understand the whole thing...

 

[kourt11234]

If the ballast is rated for 2 x 400watt halide bulbs, only 400watt bulbs should be used on the ballast. Using other water bulbs could cause fire and should/will significantly decrease your bulb life.

Using 175watt bulbs on a 400watt ballast is by far one of the worst things you can do....At least thats way I understand the whole thing...

i just found out the spec of the ballast. But i wanted to know if i should just use the cuurent ballast with the 400w blubs for a 125gal with a depth of only 20". Would the 400w be a over kill, even if i'm using only 2 blubs.

 

[nanoreefer22]

What are the dimensions of your tank? With a 20inch deep tank you're better off getting 250watt ballasts and bulbs.

If your tank is 6 feet you're gonna need 3 bulbs...

 

[kourt11234]

The tank spec are 72*18*22. I know that 3 blubs are the recommend lighting, but due the the mid support i have tho use 2blubs. My concern is, will the 400w be too much, since there will be only 2blubs or should i just used the 2*250w.

 

[nanoreefer22]

You won't get good coverage on a tank that size with just two halides. Use 250's, makes no sense to use 400's.