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View Full Version : 150 watt or 250 watt


ZooShark1029
03/15/2008, 09:43 PM
I just got another tank its a 150 gal..... I was wondering is it really going to make a difference in my corals if i get eithe
150s or 250s
the tank is a standard 150

jwb0126
03/15/2008, 10:24 PM
I'm running dual 250's over a 55 gal if that tells you anything. I know it may seem like a bit of overkill in my situation, but the bulbs are about 9 inches off the water and I like the look quite a bit and have excellent growth rate. I also have a buddy who runs 175s over a 125 gal and although it looks fine and everything in his tank is good and healthy, he seemes to get pretty slow growth (especially out of his SPS).

JMO but I would definately go for the 250's on your system.

USC-fan
03/15/2008, 10:30 PM
is your tank 48 x 24 x 31 Tall?

250 is a must maybe even 400 if you plan to mainly have sps/clams with a high k bulb.

jwb0126
03/16/2008, 10:44 AM
USC - I was reading a link yesterday that you had posted about lighting and spectrums, halides etc and now I can't find it. Wheres it at?

DarG
03/16/2008, 11:44 AM
If that tank is 24" deep I would go with 250 for sure. If the tank is shallower, like if you are running a DSB or plenum with sand bed and the actual depth is less than 20" then you can probably use 150's but you have to be picky about bulbs much of the time. Many of the 150's are low in par, especially of you go with a higher K (bluer) bulb. I assume that energy savings and heat are a concern. You may want to look into the 175's. They are single ended bulbs and several of them have very good par. With 175's you may have to be picky in going with higher par bulbs if the tank is 24" deep but there are several 175's that would do the job. Some of the 175 watt bulbs have par rivaling some of the popular 250's. Shallower by a few inches and you have quite a bit more flexibility in bulb choice with the 175's.
I have a 90 which is actually only 18"-20" deep because I run a plenum and DSB and I feel that I am on the border of 150's or 250's. I use double ended halides. I am confident that I can run some of the higher output 150's but there is more selection in the 250's and I can go to bluer bulbs or bulbs with lower par that I like the look of. With 150's the selection is much smaller.

USC-fan
03/16/2008, 11:57 AM
/\/\DarG i believe this tank is 31" tall

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12103069#post12103069 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jwb0126
USC - I was reading a link yesterday that you had posted about lighting and spectrums, halides etc and now I can't find it. Wheres it at? hey a reply to your PM. Hope that helps find what you were looking for.

GuOD
03/16/2008, 12:04 PM
I have a 30" tank and decided to get the 250s

I'm very happy with them! I can put stuff anywhere and not worry :)

USC-fan
03/16/2008, 12:05 PM
what K bulb are you using?

DarG
03/16/2008, 12:12 PM
At 31" then I wouldnt even consider anything below 250 and I would be picky with only choosing the very high par 250's. 400 watts is probably what most would recommend for a tank that deep/high.

salmon alley
03/16/2008, 12:33 PM
I don't know if power consumption is a concern, but if you're thinking of running 150s on an hqi ballast, you'll actually be using closer to 200w per bulb. To me, that significantly reduces the advantage of 150w bulbs (i.e. lower power consumption), and you're giving up PAR.
I agree, if the tank is less than 24" tall, consider 175w, otherwise I'd go 250w.