sailfin tang
Member
Looking at the MH lighting options.
What are the differences between the 150 and the 250 set up besides the watt difference?
What are the differences between the 150 and the 250 set up besides the watt difference?
150w vs 250w
- Thread starter sailfin tang
- Start date
stanlalee
Active Member
both SE and DE 250w bulbs are physically bigger and 250w DE use a different socket than 150w bulbs. both 250w SE and DE have many more choices of bulbs to choose from especially in the 12K and up range. 250w magnetic HQI ballast operate close to 300w giving them a significant performance advantage over 250w electronic and other magnetic ballast if that is what you choose to use. But for the most part which you should choose should almost solely be determined by the depth of your tank. 20" and under can get by comfortably with 150 or 175w bulbs unless you want to use 20k bulbs in which case you need to stick with 250w because 20k have notoriously low PAR especially 150w 20k bulbs for the most part. more than 20" tall you should go with 250w to be safe. Of course there are exceptions (very good 150w 10k bulbs on a 24" tall tank with corals appropriately placed or using 150w bulbs and a superior reflector like lumenarcs or lumenmax for example.)
sailfin tang
Member
It's a new set-up but the tank is 30" deep.
72 long by 24 wide x 30 deep to be exact.
Getting very confused looking at all the MH options.
Figure I need a 72" fixture with 3 250W MH's
Any help as to the best bang for the buck would be great.
72 long by 24 wide x 30 deep to be exact.
Getting very confused looking at all the MH options.
Figure I need a 72" fixture with 3 250W MH's
Any help as to the best bang for the buck would be great.
stanlalee
Active Member
you definately need at least 250w and 400w if you want to use blue 20k bulbs. the best bang for the buck would be to use 3 retro kits and good 12-14k bulbs so you wont need to use supplemental actinic lighting
single ended coralvue, PFO or ARO 250w retro kits (there are probably others) will cost you about $200 each which is much cheaper than buying most 72" metal halide fixtures not to mention more serviceable and upgradable (such as swapping to a better reflector). Of course you'll need a canopy or you can get double ended retro kits that can be hung for $20-60 more per kit.
single ended coralvue, PFO or ARO 250w retro kits (there are probably others) will cost you about $200 each which is much cheaper than buying most 72" metal halide fixtures not to mention more serviceable and upgradable (such as swapping to a better reflector). Of course you'll need a canopy or you can get double ended retro kits that can be hung for $20-60 more per kit.
jmick
Active Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
you definately need at least 250w and 400w if you want to use blue 20k bulbs. the best bang for the buck would be to use 3 retro kits and good 12-14k bulbs so you wont need to use supplemental actinic lighting
single ended coralvue, PFO or ARO 250w retro kits (there are probably others) will cost you about $200 each which is much cheaper than buying most 72" metal halide fixtures not to mention more serviceable and upgradable (such as swapping to a better reflector). Of course you'll need a canopy or you can get double ended retro kits that can be hung for $20-60 more per kit.
Good advice, this is the set up I used for my 125 but went with the DE HQI and I couldn't be happeir...if you are handy then retro kits are the way to go!
you definately need at least 250w and 400w if you want to use blue 20k bulbs. the best bang for the buck would be to use 3 retro kits and good 12-14k bulbs so you wont need to use supplemental actinic lighting
single ended coralvue, PFO or ARO 250w retro kits (there are probably others) will cost you about $200 each which is much cheaper than buying most 72" metal halide fixtures not to mention more serviceable and upgradable (such as swapping to a better reflector). Of course you'll need a canopy or you can get double ended retro kits that can be hung for $20-60 more per kit.
Good advice, this is the set up I used for my 125 but went with the DE HQI and I couldn't be happeir...if you are handy then retro kits are the way to go!
monsteraquatic
Member
The 250watt Radium bulb has the best results I've seen.