coralife aqualite 150w hqi - good for 25" tall tank

[hugh ngo]

anyone know if 150w hqi works on a 25" tall tank with mostly softies and maybe clam? That fixture has 3 150w 10k and 4 96w PC actinic.

[mile sq. reefer]

150w would be lacking for 25" height. I'd go with a 250w model especially if you want to keep clams. Also good light if you want to consider SPS, you will not have to upgrade. Id check other fixtures than Coralife though.

[hugh ngo]

is coralife fixture reflector not good? I sure like the seek looking design though.

[cwilson]

for a 25" tall tank, you should get at least a 250W.

well, that all depends on the tank dimensions, as well as what you want to keep.

answer those questions for us, and we should help you get what you need. but as far as a "shot-in-the-dark" answer goes, at least a 250W

[chadfarmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10676672#post10676672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hugh ngo
is coralife fixture reflector not good? I sure like the seek looking design though.



the reflectoras are lacking but you can get a away with it unless you are planinng on put in a crocea on the bottom of the tank

everyone says 250w and i run 150w (have owned t5s and 250s and 400s)

[hugh ngo]

my tank size is a 180 aga 6x2x2

[Doc_B]

I have a 120gal. with a coralife retrofit kit. It has 2 150w MH and 2 96w PC. My tank is 48"L x 24"W x 24" D. and I am having a hard time keeping clams of any type on the bottom and my SPS have to be right at the top to get anything out of them. I am in the prosess of upgrading my lights to at least 250w MH with T5.

[Doc_B]

I also just talked to my LFS ( the ones who told me that 150w would be fine for my tank.) that 150w MH only penitrates 15" in a tank.

[mile sq. reefer]

Thats not a true statement. The 150w HQI lamps penetrate all the way to the bottom, but the PAR decreases the further down you go. 150w HQI lamps are similar to 175w SE MH. I have a 55g with only 2x150w HQI lamps and my SPS are doing just fine. My tank is only 20" tall and my lights are 5" off the water surface.

If they, your LFS, recommended your current light fixture I would go somewhere else. For a 120 at 24" tall 2x250 MH is the way to go. Also it helps to try and explain what you want to stock so the appropriate lighting is employed. I mean these fixtures are expensive enough, who wants to buy them twice. This comment is not for the DIY's out there, some of us like the plug and play. My life is busy enough.

[Doc_B]

I told them what i was putting in and what i wanted to do and they still said 150w would be fine. Since then the guy who told me it would be fine has left. But still rescarch on my end would have saved me. I also did'nt know about reef central then.

[mile sq. reefer]

Doc, Did you get the PM?

I hear ya. My LFS has three AB 10k 150's on their 180 display but it is supplemented with about 440w of VHO. The SPS in there are simply amazing.

What's the upgrade?

[Doc_B]

Going to be working on a DIY of 2 150w MH and I'm not sure what I'm going to sub it with. Either VHO's or T5 VHO. I'm leaning on the T5 VHO. I also looked into the new PFO LED lightins system. My LFS just put one on there 90gal display tank and its amazing! Just pricey, like $2k.

[Doc_B]

Yes I got your PM.

[mile sq. reefer]

I can find a better way to spend 2K.

[hugh ngo]

guess im going have to buy a 6ft. 250w maristar fixture then. No time for a retro fit lighting. I just like something plug and play. Im going with 250w. hqi phoenix, just in case I want clam on my sand bed later.