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View Full Version : New lighting...250w or 400w????


TwistedTiger
05/03/2007, 09:45 AM
I'm about to get new lighting for my 75g and wanted some opinions before I buy. Currently I'm running 150w DE's with small DE reflectors. I want to switch to SE with the Luminarc III reflectors to increase PAR and get better tank coverage. I'm definitely getting the luminarcs with reflux bulbs. Here is where I have a question, do I go with 250w or 400w? I have mostly SPS and am moving out what softies I have but, are 400w bulbs really too much light on a 20" deep tank?

Anyone running a similar depth SPS tank with 400w bulbs?

REEF-DADDY
05/03/2007, 09:59 AM
I run a 24" tank with 400 hqi. Not too much but maybe more than needed. Are you gettting 12k's or 10k's? With the 12k's you'll want the 400's to pick up some par. The 10k's will work either way....

TwistedTiger
05/03/2007, 10:09 AM
10k's

N_V_S
05/03/2007, 10:43 AM
I assume you have a chiller for your tank, so both will work very well for you, however IMO I think 250w is a better choice. Currently, I have two 250w DE MH w/ the luminarcs reflectors on my 40 gallon breeder and I am bleaching some of my lps corals. However, my sps are doing great, so IMO the 250w has a lot of pro's like less heat, power consumption, and you may have a better chance to keep lps. HTH and happy reefing :cool: