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View Full Version : 400 Watt or 250 Watt?


spoonman
01/31/2007, 01:14 PM
I am in the planning stages of a 200 gallon tank. The dimentions are 84"x24"x24". If I want the freedom to keep anything I want including SPS and clams on a two inch sand bed. I am planning to go with three Lumenarc IIIs minis (the 14.5" wide ones) with 10k SE bulbs and two 160 Watt VHO actintics. I am trying to keep electric usage in mind, but what is the use of having the tank if I can only keep certain things. Heat won't be much of an issue (I hope!) because the tank is in wall and the back is open to a pretty good size room. In short I am looking for some experianced wisdom. Thank you!

rob020880
01/31/2007, 02:08 PM
Im doing a 30" deep tank and am in the same boat. Im debating between the 400w and 250w and then if I do 250 maybe the lumenarc stealth would be the way to go with the de and its smaller, which is a concern for me because its a quarter cylinder tank. Otherwise the minis will be good...

In short im gonna tag along because no one replied to my post with a similar? Thanks

Jayreefer
01/31/2007, 02:23 PM
Since you are going 10K bulbs just go 250w. If you plan on useing higher K like 14-20k then I would go 400w so you don't lose so much par.

luke33
01/31/2007, 03:10 PM
I'd go with the 400's, if there to much, raise them a couple more inches. If the 250's aren't enough........you'll have to buy more.

RichConley
01/31/2007, 03:26 PM
HOnestly, at only 24" deep, and running lumenarcs, you coudl run 175s and still grow whatever the heck you want.



I run 250s on my 22" deep tank, and bleach the heck out of everything. Remember, the cleaner your tank is, the less light corals not only need, but can take.

rob020880
01/31/2007, 03:32 PM
What about a 30" tank???

Paulairduck
01/31/2007, 03:45 PM
I agree if you run the lumenaric minis, you are going to have plenty of light, and be able to keep anything in the aquarium. I would deffinitely go with the 250's.

I just placed an order for the lumeraric stealth, with the new Galaxy dual 250, running radium 20k on a 24 inch high aquarium, I have seen these in action, stunning with no actinic supp.

spoonman
02/01/2007, 08:10 AM
Thanks for the help!