Should I Switch from 250w to 400w MH

[FSOL]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking of switching my MH setup, because I feel like some of my SPS and clams, that are lower in the tank, are not getting enough light. The other reason is I want more bluish light. Cost for switching will be $500.

Here's the current setup:
Ballast - hamilton electronic ballast and 6' long fixture
Bulbs - 3x250W D.E. Ushio 14K's (plus 330W of VHO actinics)


New setup I'm thinking of:
Ballast - same ballast and fixture rewired by Hamilton
Bulbs - 3x400W D.E. Radium 20K's (Plus 330W of VHO actinics)

The tank is 6' long and 2' tall and the lights sit another 1' above the surface of the water.

Do you guys think 3x400W (1200W total) will be too much on a 2' tall tank? The tank has some soft/LPS corals as well.

Hamilton recommended I stick to 250W's and just switch to magnetic ballasts, but I don't think 3x250W magnetic setup will be as intense as 3x400W electronic setup.

[PiNaPLeX]

Have you considered the heat issue with upgrading to 400W? I see you're from LA, and i'm sure you know it can get pretty hot there, unless you have a chiller, or are willing to spend the money on one if you need one, I'd stick to the 250W and just get 20K bulbs with the magnetic ballasts. The benefit your SPS might get from the extra light, might be cancelled out by heat problems.

[FSOL]

I have a 1/3HP JBJ chiller, so heat is not a problem.

Will there be significant difference going from electronic to magnetic ballasts?

[SunnyX]

I wouldnt swicth.

You really dont need more then 250W.
But if you really want the Blue then go with the 400W.

Also, Radiums only come in SE.

[VaderWS6]

Just do what I did and switch from standard PFO ballast to the Double Ended PFO ballast. My XM's are extremely bright now, a night and day difference. You'll love it.

[FSOL]

Oh, I didn't know Radium doesn't make DE bulbs.

VADER - mine ARE double ended, but I've never tried XM bulbs. The 14K Ushios were white enough for me when I exchanged them w/ the hamilton 10K's, but once I got used to the 14K ushios, now they seem too yellow.

[northbay-reefer]

or do what I did, and add 150 watt halide to run in parallel with the current 250 watt halide. This will give you more light and more color options since you can now mix colors with the use of different color temperature bulbs. Also you can controll the lights with timer to create dawn to dusk ...ect...

[Ceak]

400W DE is not the most reliable technology, and you will be very limited in the variety of bulbs...

either stick to 250W DE or go 400W SE

[FSOL]

NORTHBAY - where would I put the extra unit? The tank's top is fully occupied w/ the current fixture.

CEAK - I'm wondering if I should just buy one 20K DE bulb and try it on one part of the tank, and see how the corals respond. If they are still happy w/ it, I'll just switch to all three bulbs being 20K's.

the left side of my tank is dominated mainly by LPS and softies, so that side will be ok w/ 20K's, but the right side is SPS and clam dominated and that's the toughy.

[Ceak]

instead of getting a 250W 20K DE I would get a phoenix 14K, it's the nicest DE bulb in the 250W... has as much blue as most 20K but a tad brighter... it's very similar to the Radium (on HQI ballast)...

If you stay in 250W DE either way you go (14K or 20K) you will lose some PAR compared to your Ushios and will probably get a little less growth...

I think a good alternative would be to get a 400W Radium 20K and stick it in between the two 250W DE... either USHIO 14K or Phoenix 14K...

[Blown 346]

I would stay where you are, the 400 watt bulbs could be too much. They are normally only used for tanks up to 48" deep.
Like said above the heat issue and limitation of bulb choices.
Bigger isnt always better.

[Ceak]

Blown 346 might be right about the heat of 400W...do you have a closed canopy? If so I hope you have a chiller... If yuo dont you can always get the Lumenarc III reflector and get the Air Cooling option...apprently works very well to keep the bulb, reflector and tank cool...

[FSOL]

I've heard a lot of good stuff about Phoenix bulbs. I might try 14K's of those. Do they make DE's?

[PiNaPLeX]

ask and ye shall recieve...haha

http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/phoenix_14K_metal_halide_bulb.htm

[want2reef]

Phoenix 250W 14K, $55 shipped.


http://www.illuming.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=155&products_id=291

[Aquaduck]

I'm ditching my dual 400W lights on my 90 gallon and getting 250W DE fixtures with e-ballasts. The heat and hydro was too much for me. Growth was incredible but my tank has to be cooled with four 120MM fans during the lighting period. The evaporation is too much and I have problems in the winter with mold growing on the windows from all the moisture in the air. Make sure you can handle the added demands all that light will have on you system and your house.

[Ceak]

you're scaring me with the moisture thing!! Im getting my new condo in July, I will have a 200G cube in the small bedroom (office), I planned to go open top with a single 400W on a lumenmax reflector... Since it's open top I dont think I will need many fans if any at all... I dont plan to use a chiller... Do yuo think I will be ok heat and moisture wise? I have A/C all around the house....