Anyone running 250 w mh on 30" deep tank

[Mattl22]

I'm struggling with the choice to keep my 250 w mh or buy 400 w

The tank is 30 " deep can the 250 hack it for sps?

As far as looks go I'm happy with just wanna grow and color sps

 

[Jaftica]

use a par meter to see what the levels are to be sure

 

[reefs4life]

I didn't have any SPS however, I used to run 3x250w metal halides on my 6 foot 210G so 1 250w for every 2'x2' and the tank was 29" deep. I have Haddoni and Gigantea carpets at the very bottom along with multiple clams. All did very well. Then I upgraded to LEDs but I really liked the MH, consider going back a few times but heat is a huge issue for me.

 

[jackson6745]

I would only use 250w if you stayed with 10k or 12k halide with supplemental t5s to balance color. If you want a blue halide like a radium, 400w is the best way to go. Don't be scared of 400w

 

[Mattl22]

Don't have a par meter wish I did at one time AV I thought was gonna buy one to rent it out not sure if they did I'll ask next time I'm there

 

[edd]

i run 3x250w halide 14k and t5. tank is 27" deep. light is 10" above water.
i can grow sps on the sand, and i run halides for 5hrs a day.

 

[TheHun]

If you decide to go with 2x400w, I have two lumenarc reflector/ ballast for sale with brand new 20k radium bulbs

 

[dubs]

I don't know about the 400 I been running 250 +t5 supplement for along time my tank is 48x30x24 and I have more than enough light that y there always a renegade pack available ... mh is the truth when it comes to growing corals if using just the mh the 400 probably better but if u have supplement lighting up more than fine with us 250

 

[polywise]

400's here over 27" of water, I have a few monti's (Sunset, Setosa, and LengSy) down at the floor of the tank. They look a bit darker than if they were higher up in the tank, and they don't grow as fast..

I would not even try to grow SPS under 250's 27" down let alone 30".

LPS sofies would do great though..

Just my opinion

 

[edd]

400's here over 27" of water, I have a few monti's (Sunset, Setosa, and LengSy) down at the floor of the tank. They look a bit darker than if they were higher up in the tank, and they don't grow as fast..

I would not even try to grow SPS under 250's 27" down let alone 30".

LPS sofies would do great though..

Just my opinion

i wasn't looking to grow them at the bottom, i put them their temporarily and forgot them. but like you stated they are darker.

 

[QueensRob]

I have a Apogee par meter let me know your schedule and I can stop by so you can see where you are.

 

[Mattl22]

Hi rob that would be awesome I still have those LEDs if u still want to trade as well

 

[drej424]

I have both over my 150, 2 x 250 and 1 x 400. IME, the 250's are fine.

 

[Mattl22]

Dre do u grow sps?

 

[petraio]

I don't believe you are stating if you wanna use de se bulbs
If you wanna color for those purple and pink 400 watts 20k is the key for se bulbs
250 de bulbs are great for being smaller so less bulky fixture but not many good 20k bulbs out there I had used 2x 250 de bulbs on my sps 120 gallon when used 20 bulbs growth came to Stan still and I testy and par dropped to fast to support color and growth where 400 se bulbs 20k randium is the best route for color and growth hope this could help

 

[Mattl22]

I have a 14k Phoenix now I'm happy with my biggest concern is tank is 30" deep I'm happy with the color of the 250 w de phoenix just not sure weather it's enough for the tank

 

[Mattl22]

What I have now is de if I go with 400 w will be se