250W or 400W for SPS tank?

[JaimeAdams]

I am currently running 2 250W MH with 4 4ft T-5 over my 6' 125. Over the next couple months I am going to switch the 125 over to mostly acros. I have 2 large mogul socket reflectors and a single 250W DE mini reflector that I am going to use. The large horizontal pendant fixtures have ballast that can run 250W or 400W. After reading all this stuff about the usable PAR levels in the lux meter threads I question whether or not I want to run 400W or 250W bulbs on the switchable ballasts. I will run 20K bulbs, because I like the blue look. I don't care so much about the electric use but do I need more than 750W over my 125? I would certainly run with the 400 if my tank was wider than the 18inches that it is. Thoughts?

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

400 watt is for deeper tanks. If the 125 gal tank isnt over 18" deep i dont see nothing wrong with 250s

 

[120reefkeeper]

I agree that the 250watt is fine. I run 250's on a 24"deep tank anything deeper than that I'd go 400watt.

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

I agree that the 250watt is fine. I run 250's on a 24"deep tank anything deeper than that I'd go 400watt.

A local fish store here has a 400 watt over a 12? inch tank. They hanged the fixture like 5ft above the tank.. to high imo and over kill lol.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Wow! Lol

 

[hybridazn]

For a tank that is less than 24" deep I'd stick with 250w. I don't have an issue in my 180 growing sps on the sand bed with 3x 250w radiums.