250s or 400s?

[cmjreef]

Recently upgraded from a 90 to a 120. Im running 2 250w hqis now but will be upgrading my lighting. Ill be using some SE Lumenmax reflectors with Radium bulbs. Question is, should I upgrade to 400w bulbs? Im thinking I should. Mostly an sps tank with some others (chalices, blastos, goniopora, etc.). Pros and cons.

 

[lReef lKeeper]

i think your 250s would be fine, and have less of a heating issue than 400s, but IF YOU want to go with 400s ... i have some Blueline ballasts for sale !! lol

 

[Murfman]

Why not try the Lumatek adjustable ballasts? you can go 250-hqi-400 if you want.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f30/whos-using-galaxy-lumatek-adjustable-ballast-38786.html

 

[Checkitout]

400's all the way. I have two 400's on my 105 using Lumenmax reflectors and xm 20k's , and get great growth and color.

 

[Murfman]

I just saw a new LED pendant at Reefstock in Denver and that thing is incredible. It puts out about 290 watts, from a 50 watt LED. It has a 4' spread at 3' height and will blind you!!!!! They go in to production in a bout 90 days with a 12 spectrum and some tweaking on the way it looks. I can't wait till they start selling them. Specs are supposed to released this summer with growth charts and measurements!!!

Ecoxotic shows off new Photon Canon LED light

 

[Troylee]

Go with 250s man they will for sure get the job done... I use them on my tank and it 24" deep and drops to36" deep and I got a monti at 33 to 34" down from the waters surface and it glows man also the fastest grower in the tank... 400s are overkill IMO.

 

[luke33]

^^Agreed, no since in wasting all the electricity.

 

[Paul_N]

250w definitely. I am going from a 75 to a 220 and will just add (1) more 250w to have a total 3 for coverage. It's all about the reflectors. Especially with having some lps you don't wan to blast the bottom of the tank with light.