2x250 or 1x400

[rockindacheeks]

I was thinking about upgrading my light on my tank. Its 36" long and i already have 1 250 phoenix. I was thinking about adding another 250 or having just one 400w lamp over my tank. What would you do? The tank is SPS dominated and i want to eliminate the shaded areas in the tank.

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

How deep is the tank? Adding more wattage won't
eliminiate shadows. Having more than one light source will
help.

[rockindacheeks]

its 24" I was thinking since the 400 would be on a bigger reflector it would help eliminate the shadows. this is what i have now http://www.hellolights.com/25hlmhrekith.html

and was thinking about going M59 and an XM 20k 400w.

[rockindacheeks]

maybe just using a Lumenmax3 reflector on the 250 i have now would be a good idea?

[Stoney Mahony]

Go with 2 x 250's definately or 1 x 400w on a light mover. The difference in having 1 lamp vs 2 is amazing when you see it for yourself. Great color on all sides and a more natural growth patern. I have 2 x 400w on a 36" tank and decided to drop down to 1 for a 2 month period. Everything dulled up. Now that I replaced the 2nd lamp all the colors are coming back to full force.

[rockindacheeks]

2x400 on 36" tank. thats a lot of light.

[ChurchBoy]

Not really. I've got Dual 400 PFO HQI Radium bulbs on my 120 48" with mini diamond luminarc reflectors & it just seems just right. I fell you can't go wrong with more light on sps.

[snslarison]

IMO 1x400 would be perfect. Just position the reflector perpindicularly to get the most out of the light spread. 2 400W lamps will definitly be overkill on a 36" tank.

[rockindacheeks]

i wasnt planning on going 2x400. NO WAY.

[snslarison]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8965356#post8965356 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChurchBoy
Not really. I've got Dual 400 PFO HQI Radium bulbs on my 120 48" with mini diamond luminarc reflectors & it just seems just right. I fell you can't go wrong with more light on sps.

Your tank is twice the size of his. :confused: He has a 65g.

[tacocat]

I have a 1000w halide. :)

[rockindacheeks]

again... not the answer i was looking for. your tank is 4 times the size of mine...

[tacocat]

It's a joke. I don't even use it. I'd go double 250w. That's the only way to eliminate shadows. Besides, running two gives you a little leeway if one of the bulbs breaks, ballasts breaks, etc.

[Stoney Mahony]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8964642#post8964642 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rockindacheeks
2x400 on 36" tank. thats a lot of light.

Look at par levels on 400w 20k's vs 250w 10k's w/ actinics. You say crazy for 2 400's but it's not as bright as you think w/ 20k's and no supplements. Tons of people run 2 250w 10k lamps w/ a couple of hundred watts in supplements on there 36" tanks and nobody calls them crazy. I think it's just right for the SPS I keep so thats my preference, but I never suggested you put them on your tank.

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I run a single 400W Hamilton 10K over my 58g (with 2x95w VHO actinic)which is 36"x18"x21"....i am now going to put a 175W Iwasaki 15K on the other end of my canopy to:
A. make it even brighter for me(even though it's bright now)
B. reduce shadows(which i notice since going from 2x150W before)
C. be able to have at leat one bulb going if one burns out/dramatically shifts color, or a ballast goes
D. although there is no bulb on that side now, i will still be able to keep lower light sps on that side and the light cravers under the 400w

[rockindacheeks]

i think im gonna go 2x250. i already have one so ill just get another one when it comes time to replace my lamp. thanks everyone

[MiddletonMark]

I really like my 2 x 250 on my 58.

Less shadows, more leeway with problems [and staggered bulb replacement], and I really like the 10k + 20k mixed bulbs on a 36".

[TexasPete]

2 250's more light and better spread. might not go as deep.