single 400W MH enough for 125G

[Reefenthusiast]

I was curious if a 400W MH, is enough for a 125G square shaped aquarium, for SPS?

[LTCrunch]

What are the dimensions on that tank?

[Reefenthusiast]

48LX36inDx20inW.(not 100% on the Width)

[cbrguy]

No, unless you just have a pile of rocks in the middle. MH will only light a 24" area.

[Reefenthusiast]

the 400W SE, lights up the whole tank pretty well, except for about 3inches of the right side.

[cbrguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13085257#post13085257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefenthusiast
the 400W SE, lights up the whole tank pretty well, except for about 3inches of the right side.

Yes, it will "light" the tank, but the effective lighting area especially for SPS would be 24". The PAR rating drops off dramticaly outside of this area.

[Reefenthusiast]

i would need another 400W then right? How much would 800W add on the light bill?

[Texastravis]

If you run your lights for only 8 hours this is what it will add:

If you electric co. is good priced at 10 cents per kilo watt then it will add 9.60 cents to you monthly bill

If you live in Texas and are being charged up to 15-17 cents per kilo watt hour your looking at an added $15.50 a month

When it comes to 400 watt lamps @8h a day you can just simply take what your kilowatt/hour charge is and multiply by 100 and that is the dollar amt that will be added to your bill. You can expect lights to take up a majority of the electricity and try your best to avoid chillers

[Poorcollegereef]

depending on how long you run the lights and you electric rate, it will run you about 8-20 dollar more a month

I live in SC where the rate is about $0.07 from the last I have heard so I have 2 400w MH and live on a grad student wage... my bill rarely exceed $100 (avg $89)

try the tank electric calculator on the main page.

If you are really worried about electric $ the 250s with high end reflectors could be an answer

[cbrguy]

Is you tank 36" tall?? Or is in 20" if so you would be fine with 2x250 MH. but 36" you would need 2x400w

[Reefenthusiast]

36" tall

[Reefenthusiast]

Bump.