24" deep tank 400 or 250w MH ?? Poll

[SnowManSnow]

Keeping sps and everything else. Tank is 24" deep.

IYO do i need a 400w fixture or a 250?

Thanks for your opinions!

 

[mr_X]

:wink:

 

[SnowManSnow]

common! 24 views so far and only 2 poll answers haha...!

 

[trido]

I voted 250 because I know thats what you want to hear. Ive had great success with my 250s but sometimes I wonder if I'd be better off with 400s. I like it blue and 250s arent quite strong enough for an SPS dominated tank if you want to stretch bulb life to the extreme. Im sure others will disagree with me though. And, of course ballast bulb combos will effect par and longevity too.

 

[SnowManSnow]

I really don't want to hear one or the other.. honestly, id rather not spend $500 and just go with the light i have.. but it just seems like a LOT of light. Its actually rare to run into someone who actually RUNS 400w DE bulbs.. or it is around here anyhow.

The MAIN thing is I want a fixture that is all in 1 that I can just sit on top of my tank and take off when needed (like the orbits and the coralifes). If I could FIND one that was 24" that actually HAD 400w in it I would opt for it. I don't want to HANG anything (looks bad with 12' ceilings) and I don't want to have to retrofit a hood.

B

 

[Anonymous]

What bulbs are you going to use?

If you use primarily 10000K bulbs 250w is MORE than enough, if you want to do those 20000K bulbs then 400w wouldn't be over doing it.

 

[mr_X]

what about hamilton fixtures? aren't they customizable to your needs?

 

[razermouse]

I'll be running the Outer Orbit 3x 250 watt HQI /T5HO combo on my 180 gallon (also 24" deep). The unit comes with the plastic feet to mount above the tank. I'm pretty sure this is how I'll mount my lights but I've kicked around the idea of mounting it from the ceiling.

I know I'm a newbie at this but 250 watt bulbs for a 24" depth seems more than sufficient from what I've been reading. If I had a really deep tank then I'd go with 400 watt bulbs.

http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html

 

[SnowManSnow]

Does hamilton have somthing that is customizable that has FEET that actually SIT on my tank? if so can u post a link? i cant find anything like this.

i do like hamilton... i currently have a hamilton reefstar pendant... functions great.

as far as using 20k bulbs... i cant find one that is a good bulb that is 400w 20k.. There is an industry "hole" for de 400w 20ks I think.

b

 

[mr_X]

i think you sit the fixture directly on the tank frame. that's why they are about 8-10 inches deep and come with a big glass shield.
in any application i have seen them operating in, this is how the people had it.

 

[SnowManSnow]

hmmm ill research them... have a link?

b

 

[mr_X]

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/faq.shtml

 

[Anonymous]

You don't need anything more than a 250 for a 24" deep tank unless you plan on keeping an A. Needalotofnlight on the glass bottom.

 

[Hyolee]

I say an all-in-one with 10k 250's and t5's or vho supplementation.

Similar question:

I know every bulb / ballast combo is different, but typically, which option would be bluer and which option would have more par?

250w Reeflux 10k w/ VHO
400w XM 20k