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

Quote:

Originally posted 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.

03/15/2008, 09:43 PM	#1
ZooShark1029 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: south florida Posts: 166	150 watt or 250 watt 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

03/15/2008, 10:24 PM	#2
jwb0126 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 176	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. __________________ Jason Bryan My Fiance calls my tank "The other woman." Current Tank Info: 55 gal. mixed reef working towards SPS dominated. Custom 10 gal sump and custom 8 gal refuge. Dual 250w 14k SE MH w/ 2x54w supplemental actinic T5s. Berlin Turbo skimmer. 1 Koralia 2 & 1 Koralia 3 for flow. Hospital / QT tank always on the ready.

03/16/2008, 10:44 AM	#4
jwb0126 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 176	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? __________________ Jason Bryan My Fiance calls my tank "The other woman." Current Tank Info: 55 gal. mixed reef working towards SPS dominated. Custom 10 gal sump and custom 8 gal refuge. Dual 250w 14k SE MH w/ 2x54w supplemental actinic T5s. Berlin Turbo skimmer. 1 Koralia 2 & 1 Koralia 3 for flow. Hospital / QT tank always on the ready.

03/16/2008, 12:33 PM	#10
salmon alley Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Balto/Washington Area Posts: 716	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. __________________ "will spay for frags..." Current Tank Info: None currently, but researching for a new system

03/15/2008, 10:30 PM	#3
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	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.

03/16/2008, 11:44 AM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	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.

03/16/2008, 12:04 PM	#7
GuOD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 665	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

03/16/2008, 12:05 PM	#8
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	what K bulb are you using?

03/16/2008, 12:12 PM	#9
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	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.