150 HQI or 250 HQI?

[elgordoinavw]

Ok I have a 45 gallon tank the dimension are:
36Lx24Hx15D I think- Anyways I currently have 2x96 and 1x55 under the canopy but I think I'm ready for SPS. So Im thinking to go for a 250 HQI- but I was told that a 250 HQI puts out as much as a 400 MH. Is that going to be alot of light? I don't want to have a spot light in the middle. Will it spread out if I place it about 8" from water surface? I want even coverage, will I get the cool ripples of light? should I get a 150 HQI? which I've been told has the output of 250 watt MH-
either way I want SPS but don't want to kill my softies so I guess I'll have to be careful acclimating.

This is the bulb I'm thinking of buying:
250W XDE 20,000K HQI "Double Ended"
on a electronic ballast-

[brahm]

If I had to do it over, I would have gone with 2x250w HQI's over my 55. The Softies will get used to it just keep them in the bottom of the tank for the first part, some of them like fiji leathers might open up even more. From what I understand the foot print is 2x2, It won't look bad if you just have 1 light in the middle, it will gradually fade on the edges, which would be a good place to put your softies.

[suver569]

I've kinda done this with my 55. 1 250Watt Non HQI in the middle. There are slight shadows on the sides of the tank, but barely noticable. Most of my softies are kept towards the sides, and they seem happy. I think 2x250 would be quite a bit on a 40 gallon. Just my opinion though.

[brahm]

:) Never have to much light!

[nalbar]

you wont kill your softies. you MIGHT shock them but just start your 250 higher than normal.

i am going with 2-250 HQI on my 48L X 24H tank. and its a softie tank.

you cant have to much light.


nalbar

[brahm]

heheheheheh MORE POWER GRUNT GRUNT GRUNT GRUN!!!

[elgordoinavw]

well I ordered a ARO electronic ballast, the bulb I plan on using is a Hamilton 14K bulb the price is good at only 69.99. I'm using the Regent mod pendent. I'll be mounting it to the inside of my canopy. I'm a little hesitant on adding a second 250 HQI due to heat issues, If I have no probs in a couple of months I'll purchase the 2nd 250 HQI. Has anyone used the hamilton 14K bulbs seem like a good buy and to me hamilton has some quality stuff.

[elgordoinavw]

well I ordered a ARO electronic ballast, the bulb I plan on using is a Hamilton 14K bulb the price is good at only 69.99. I'm using the Regent mod pendent. I'll be mounting it to the inside of my canopy. I'm a little hesitant on adding a second 250 HQI due to heat issues, If I have no probs in a couple of months I'll purchase the 2nd 250 HQI. Has anyone used the hamilton 14K bulbs? seem like a good buy and to me hamilton has some quality stuff. I'll be keeping my CSL 55 watt retro in there and run 50/50. If the tank isn't blue enough I'll go actinic 03. I also am going to get rid of my maxi jets in exchange for some aqua globes (4) hi-flow 350 GPH? I also plan on adding a 24 watt 10K to light my fuge.

[MFR]

G:

Go with 250-s. As mentioned everything will adapt if you lower them slowly. I am running 2 x 250 & 1X 150 HQIs over over a 60 gal! If I get a bigger tank I will not have to deal with new lights. The price is aboutthe same & I do notice much more output on the 250s (even just one on) over the 150 in the center (spacelight).


MFR

[reefrenzy]

250 HQI is the best choice. I think you'll be happy with the 14K, I have 13K Megachromes with no actinic supplementation and I love 'em!

BTW, I recommend the new SEIO pumps...they're a poor man's Tunze Stream but they work well!

[suver569]

250 hqi's should be ok. My major concern would be with the heat, but hqi's run a bit cooler, so it might be ok. Better invest in a fan or 2 though.

[MrKrispy]

I run a 250W DE over my 20L, which is only 12" high. I don't have eat issues, the apartment isn't air conditioned, but the room doesn't get a lot of sun either.

I went with a 250W over a 150W because I wanted a 20K bulb and have no actinics. More wattage to make up for less PAR on the 20k bulb....