1000 watts on a 240

[PeeJ]

As the title says, I am going to run a 240 gallon 30 inch deep tank.

3x250 MH 10k
2x110 VHO actinic

I'm a pushing the limits of being able to keep most corals in this tank?

 

[Anonymous]

I think 400's might be better since you do have a 30" deep tank.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

and I wouldn't really put those actinic bulbs in your calculation of "lighting power"

But depending upon your layout I think 250's would be fine.

 

[PeeJ]

I can't go 400s...too much heat and power. This is in an apartment with not much power access...unfortunately.

 

[PeeJ]

Realistically I coukld keep most light intensive corals at the top of the tank with some softies down at the bottom....I think.

 

[Anonymous]

Put your 250's in Lumenarc III reflectors then. Well, that's always good advice regardless of the wattage.

Louey

 

[Unarce]

You must have a big (ground level) apartment

 

[PeeJ]

You must have a big (ground level) apartment

850 square feet....not too big. I may just go down to 215 or 180. Not sure.

 

[Anonymous]

Well be careful about putting the "SPS up high" type advice, remember that the "sticks" will grow vertically, and the last thing you want is ones who reach the surface of the water then they won't grow any higher up, just out.

 

[PeeJ]

Well be careful about putting the "SPS up high" type advice, remember that the "sticks" will grow vertically, and the last thing you want is ones who reach the surface of the water then they won't grow any higher up, just out.

Well I didn't mean too high. I know I could do it in a 180. So...high enough that they are in the height of the 180 tank - 6 inches higher than they would be in the 180.

 

[Unarce]

If your tank's going to be no more than 6', you may be better off going with just 2 400 watters with Lumenarcs. You'll be able to get a nice, even spread, and skip on the actinics. This way, you won't have to worry about placing corals with moderate light demands at the very bottom.

The size and spacing of the Lumenarcs allows heat to dissipate pretty easily. This way, you'll save a bit on heat and energy by only using 2 bulbs instead of 5.