MH lighting question?

[mystikdragon7]

I have been running two 175w MH's for just over four years on my reef tank. I now want to upgrade and get better ballasts for my lights because I have a pair of crappy no namer ballasts. My question is this, if I get two 250w MH's would that be an over kill for my 60gal tank? I mainly have LPS's, zoo's, a few monti's, and a RTBA. The tank is 18in high and 48in long. So what is everyones opinion on getting two 250w MH from two 175w MH?

[BLKTANG]

Personally i'd stay with the 175's,& get some IceCap ballasts to drive them.

[seapug]

that would be quite a lot of light for that size tank. You'd probably need to acclimate everything to the new lights and keep an eye on temps.

[nu2reefva]

i agree with black tang its a shallow tank you dont need all that light and definately not if you dont have sps and clams thats when you need serious light.

[dcombs44]

I run dual 250 watt MH over my 55 gallon with the no name ballasts. I basically went that route so I wouldn't have to swap out as much if/when I upgrade. I don't have too much of a heat issue with the lamps about 10" off the water.

I'd say the 175s would be more than adequate for the depth of your tank. You could even get away with t5s and avoid the heat issues all together, as well as save a bit on the ole' power bill.

[snguyen77]

i would say that's over kill. if you're not keeping SPS, two 175 would be just fine.