Another lighting Question

[easygoer2]

I've got two 175mh that are about 1 year old. When I change these out can I go to 250 or 400 watts? I don't know anything about the ballast. I had the light system custom made made by Coral Reef Ecosystems. This sysyem also has 2 vho's and 2 actinic's and the reflector. The ballast for all this is in 1 case under the tank.

 

[SAT]

MH ballasts are typically sized for a particular wattage bulb (and sometimes even more specifically than that). If you want to go to 250 or 400, you should plan to buy a new ballast (or set of ballasts).

 

[caecosystems]

What is the depth of your tank? What corals are you keeping or are wanting to keep? Why do you want to change wattage? If you want higher wattage you must change ballast accordingly. If you go to higher wattage.....run your lights for a shorter photoperiod for a while...bumping it up an hour a week or longer so as not to light shock your corals.

 

[easygoer2]

The tank is a 110 tall. I've got lps corals now. Wanting to try some sps corals. There's about 150lbs of rock. the rock is to were it is stacked about 20" high. I was'nt sure about my lighting to try the sps. What do you guys think? Is 175 enough?

 

[Anonymous]

I was'nt sure about my lighting to try the sps. What do you guys think? Is 175 enough?

Nah! I have 175's over my 75G and already wish I had 250's. If my tank were any deeper, I'd want 400's.

Do you have a chiller? You may need one if you increase the wattage. What is your water temp?

Ditto on what caecosystems said regaring the reduced photo period. I fried a clam when I upgraded from VHO to MH.

Louey