3x150 watt DE or 3x250 watt DE for 125 gallon (72x18x22)

[heuerfan]

I have an Oceanic canopy that is about 8 inches tall, my original plan is to add 3x150 watt de to this hood and use T5s for actinics. These are the retro fits i am going to buy, but for $10.00 extra i could go with 250 watts!

I know that my canopy is too short, and idea height would be 15", i'm still going to go for it. With that said, i most likely only going to be keeping LPS, Zoos, Clams, and maybe, just maybe some SPS, dunno.

What do you guys think i should do? I know electricty is going to be about an extra $15.00 per month to run the 3x250, plus i was told the 250s will be much hotter.

Thanks for your feedback,
Steven

Forgot the link to the retro fit,
http://www.hellolights.com/elbalsys.html

 

[deelucky]

250w. if you go with the 150's you migt want 250 later.get it out the way now.you'll be happier.

 

[jackson6745]

I think you should go with a 180G and 3x250w's

On a 125g I would use 3x250's but use a blue bulb unsupplmented. Iceap ballasts with Ushio 14k's are nice. Phoenix are OK but look more like a 20k. THe AB20k is a great bulb. Really makes the corals glow and not overly blue.
For SE bulbs I like the reeflux 10k's

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

3x250's

 

[scarf_ace1981]

250s steven

 

[heuerfan]

I'm noticing a trend here.........

Okay great, now i got to re-think this.

Rich- wanted a 180 but being married i have to comprimise

 

[Vic8361]

Steven if the canopy is not tall enough your going to build up a lot of heat in there.
How tall is it?
I had to go with t5,s in my set up my canopy is way to short.
I always had a hard time keeping my tank cool with the halids in there.
Just somthing to think about.:smile:
Vic

 

[House of Laughter]

250's and you better get a chiller.

House

 

[heuerfan]

Steven if the canopy is not tall enough your going to build up a lot of heat in there.
How tall is it?
I had to go with t5,s in my set up my canopy is way to short.
I always had a hard time keeping my tank cool with the halids in there.
Just somthing to think about.:smile:
Vic

Hey Vic how are you, been a long time! Its about 8 inches, i plan on getting tons of fans, this is why i am leaning towards 3x150.

I like t5 but really like the shimmering effect of halides.

 

[Nsr250NYC]

how about 175s?

 

[pecan2phat]

Steven,

I think you should be prepared to fork out a little more for the electricity. 750 watts @ just 6 hrs a day will run 4.5 kw per day @ .25 cents a kw would be $1.125 times 30 days

8 inch canopy is way too shallow even for DE pendants, you also need to careful of heating up the center glass brace too much.

 

[Nsr250NYC]

i just read your post that you wanted DEs. oops is there any advantage with de than se? does it give out more par or something?

 

[pecan2phat]

Advantage is that there are less choices of bulbs, breaks easier when handled incorrectly during bulb change and needs a UV glass shield

But they do have a smaller footprint pendant wise.

 

[nycmat]

steve i have the same situation with my oceanic 215. what i am doing to bring up my canopy 6 inches.i am in the process of building a sleeve to place under my canopy. teh canopy sits on the sleeve the same way the canopy sits on the tank. i am getting the correct stain from HD. think about that with the advice you are getting from the rest of this thread, they are right you better also have fans inside the canopy. building it eliminates that whole problem. go with the 250's though.

matt