Tank Lighting Lesson ??

[Braves Fan]

When I upgrade to my new larger tank it will be 25inches deep, top to bottom. I have 250w MH lights and T5s in my current tank and I am wanting to use these in my new tank, which I know that I can, but I have seen severl people using 400w lights in their larger tanks. Are these over kill for a 25inch deep tank, do I need to sell my 250w lights and get 400w lights, If it were your tank what would you do? This will be an SPS tank and some where between a 190g to 225g tank if that effects your answer.

 

[Paul_N]

I am going from a 75 with (2) 250w MH and (2) T5 to a 220 (72X24X30) and all I am going to do is add another 250w MH. I will upgrade all reflectors to Lumenmax Elites or something similar though shortly also.

 

[fatcasey]

I like the 400w personally. I have a single 20k radium in a lumenarc III on a light rail over my 48Lx30Wx24D, real efficient and the growth I get is pretty even with not many dark spots.

 

[Braves Fan]

I am guessing here, that the reason people that have 400w lights, is because they have deeper tanks and they need the 400w to reach the bottom of the tank, but thats just a guess, lol. Whats the up side on having 400w lights as opposed to 250w. Why one over the other?

 

[Paul_N]

I am guessing here, that the reason people that have 400w lights, is because they have deeper tanks and they need the 400w to reach the bottom of the tank, but thats just a guess, lol. Whats the up side on having 400w lights as opposed to 250w. Why one over the other?

You hit the nail on the head; to get more light to the bottom on deeper tanks. I butchered my canopy on my 75 to put MH lights in it and right now from the light fixture to the bottom is 27". I can grow sps on the bottom. With me going to 30" deep I will get the new reflectors and that will be fine.

*There are people that run T5's on 24" deep tanks

 

[fatcasey]

Somewhat...people with deep tanks go with the 400s for penetration. I like the 400w for color and growth, also with the 30 inch width, I put a large reflector to make sure I lite front to back of the tank.

 

[Braves Fan]

I didn't think about fatcasey point about dark spots in the tank. My new tank will be 30" front to back but the front third or so of the tank won't have any corals in that area as that is about where the live Rock will start and spread to the back of the tank, so as Paul said if I upgrade the reflectors, I should be alright, but I don't want dark spots in the front of the tank.

 

[Paul_N]

Here is a good article on reflectors:

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Product Review: Analyzing Reflectors: Lumenbrite III, Lumenmax Elite, Lumenmax, and Lumenarc III

 

[ReefGeezer]

I think if I were going to DIY a completely new lighting system, it would be LED. However, 250W MH will work. Dark spots could be addressed with T5 bulbs. I like that combination because it also allows you to adjust PAR and CRI with the T5 bulbs. 400W Radiums are also nice if heat is not an issue and you can afford the power.