150 hqi vs. 175 se or 250 se ????

[tonym10]

Is a 150 HQI as powerfull or more powerfull then a se 175 mh, or 250 mh for that matter?
Or is it just less powerful just like its wattage sounds like?
Thank you

[tonym10]

My reason for asking is because I have 2 175 se xm 10k on my 75g now 20" tall tank,with VHO actnic supplements. But I plan to upgrade to a 180g 24" tall tank. So I am curious if the 150de would be sufficient for what I have now under 175se.
I was thinking of buying the Maristar 6' with T5 supplement and 3 de 150 mh. I really prefer this over the 250 for electrical usage and heat issues.

[-=DieselDave=-]

Well, from what I understand is that SE MH light bulbs by them self have a higher par value in general compared with DE MH bulbs. However a DE MH with a good reflector like the RO3 in the Maristar light fixture will out perform the same wattage bulb in a SE in a good reflector.
In my opinion the Maristar in the 150watt flavor will be great on a 24’’ deep tank and will most likely out perform other 175 SE systems. I’m not a light guru just my opinion.

PS I have a 24’’ and a 72’’ Maristar in the 250w flavor on my tanks and like them a lot.

[tonym10]

Diesel , you have the 250 with the T5?
Do you have pics of your tank ?

[-=DieselDave=-]

I don't have any photos on the 72'' running but you can see it in the background.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66839The-Goods.jpg
Here is a pic of the 24'' one.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/66839MaristarOnBack.jpg
look in my gallery if you want to see more pics I have only used these fixtures with BLV 10k's. I will be replacing bulbs soon and think the new ones will be in the 14k color range.