400w or 250w MH for 33g

[Kratos1]

Well I'm setting up 30g reef, slowly making my way to a nano reef, but I'm not used to tanks this small. Would a single 400w MH be too much for it? I know more light is better but the tank is only 18" high so could it be too much and 'burn' the softies?

 

[Anonymous]

For softies, 400W is way too much. You could get by with 150W for that size, but 250W sounds good.

 

[Len]

I'd go with 250W for heat concerns. It will be plenty of light for a 33 gallon.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree 250 will be enough.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've got 250W over my 30 cube. plenty of light! 400 would be overkill IMO.

 

[hillbilly]

250w double ended, HQI ballest.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

^^ what he said.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Check out the 250w 20k OCEAN LIGHT from AQUA MEDIC. I've just purchased one for my 37g and it is PLENTY.. The thing almost burns your retina haha

If you're interested PM me and I can put you in touch with a GREAT place to buy from..

B. Snow

 

[DK]

You are kidding, ritht? 400w on a 30g? I want my eggs sunnyside up!

 

[Kratos1]

For what I want to keep 250W 10-14k will be good. DK, Cooltouch makes a 36" dual 400W Metal Halide canopy. 800W of mh over my 36" 30 gal reef.... now that's overkill. But they must make it for a reason right?

 

[Oceans Ferevh]

Maybe they think that 3 ft deep cubes will come into style

 

[spsmike]

Nothing wrong with 400 watts 20k for clam/sps tank but for softies a 150 would be fine imo.....

 

[SnowManSnow]

<---still suggests a 250w.. even at 20k. 400w may damage some stuff if they were high nuff in the tank.