250w or 400w??? Decision time.

[tanzy]

Here's the situation, I'm gonna upgrade my lighting for my tank. It used to be running 4 110w VHOs, because one tube stopped working, it's temporarily rewired to handle 3 tubes. I was just about to order my tubes when I thought what the heck, I'll just go for MH instead.

The tank is 48 x 20 and 16 inches from sand to water surface. The lamp will be mounted about 11 inches from the water surface. I hope to get a Icecap/PFO hood with 2 MH E-ballast and 2 VHO.

1) Do I need 400w or will 250w do?
2) With my setup, is there a difference between using 400w and 250w?
3) Is my tank too shallow for 400w or is it brighter the better!!!

I hope to use 10000K Ushio with Actinics and keep SPS.
I also have a Teco/Teclima 1/3 hp chiller if heat is a problem.
I don't have much inhabitants left after a crash, 2 small branches of anchor, one tiny twig of frogspawn, saucer size favia and a fist size stylophora.

Anything would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[scavdog]

Ever think of going with an HQI pendant? I have been using a 2x250 watt Aquaspace light next to a 400 watt Iwasaki. The color rendition of the 250 is incredible compared to the 400 (all things considered because of the differences in Kelvin).

FWIW, I have been happy with the 250 HQI and IMO, it would be fine over your tank.

But , heck, if you want go with a 400. I don't believe it will be too powerfull by any means.

 

[tanzy]

Thanx scavdog, I like your homepage!
I did consider HQI, I have read many rave reviews on them. Unfortunately, there are couple of problems with the DE MHs for my situation. The voltage here is 220V; AB, Arcadia, Dupla and Geisemann have 220v systems, but it takes 6 weeks or more for my LFS to bring the 250watt versions. There are a couple of other 150w dodgy Taiwan brands available locally but I won't mention them. BTW, did I tell you that the LFS charge exorbitant prices for the lights? 8O Online ordered lighting from USA (which are way cheaper, freight, taxes and all) need 110V, so it just won't work. Blueline E-ballasts are the only ballast that are able to run 220V without modification. Although I love the look of Aquaspace fixtures, but my ceiling can't take the weight. I did consider using the wall mounting arms or thingamajig or whatever, but maybe I'll go for something simple like a plonk-on hood. :wink: As much as I want to run DE bulbs, it just seems rather impractical and uneconomical. Oh, I still want to continue using my Icecap 660.
Really thankful for your reply, it's not that I am rejecting your comments but I hope you understand some of the my minor difficulties.

 

[scavdog]

Thanks for the compliment Tanzy. The web page is in dire need of updating and you lose the navigation because I am switching to over PHP.



FWIW, I heard that Aqualine Bushke is switching over to electronic ballasts. This should decrease the weight of the fixture considerably.

Really thankful for your reply, it's not that I am rejecting your comments but I hope you understand some of the my minor difficulties.

No offense taken.

HTH,

 

[Anonymous]

imho-for a 16" depth-250 watters should be fine!

 

[danmhippo]

250W is fine.

 

[Starmstr]

Plz consider your enviroment and the avg ambiant temps for your area. The differences between 250 and 400 not to mention the k of the bulb are HUGE. I live in california with daily temps of 100+ for several days in a row and even run a chiller to combat the heat. Currently I'm of the opinion that your enviromental conditions should dictate your bulb choice. This is coming from a new home owner who got a $640 electric bill!

 

[reefland]

250w bulbs would be plenty for that depth.

 

[tanzy]

Thanx guys!
250 it will be!!!
I ordered Iwasaki, Ushio and Radiums just to try them out.