MH Watts for 215g?

[pbnj]

Very early planning stages for a 215g upgrade....
For a tank of this size (72.5x24.5x29), which will have a 72" Hamilton hood (Hammertone reflector) with 3 MH bulbs (probably 14K) and 2 VHO bulbs (330W total), would you recommend 250W or 400W bulbs?
The tank would have an open top and I'd like to be able to put in anything, even the most difficult SPS.

 

[jackri]

Either way you can't really go wrong. Sounds like it's going to be a rocking tank

 

[pbnj]

Thanks.
Yeah, it's going to be a beauty. Deep Sea Aquatics Model 215 PRO Ready4Reef (Black Oak). LFS is giving a great deal.
Check it out:
http://www.deepseaaquatics.net/

 

[pbnj]

Also, I'm planning on running two identical 50g sumps/refugiums/skimmers. The idea is to have each overflow/return working independently. I believe such a design allows me the benefit of running two different types of refugiums and the tank will always be backed up if anything ever fails in either of the sumps. Not to mention, better flow design.

 

[shrimpi]

with a tank of that depth I would definitely get the 400w just to make sure you get good penetration for the corals on the sandbed.
Good Luck
Jess

 

[jackri]

24 inches isn't any deeper than my 90 if I'm correct... have a green stag acro growing like mad in the sandbed shaded by some rock and even my toadstool.
If you want to go alllll out get the 400w... but 250w would be just fine imo.

 

[pbnj]

The tank is 29" high, plus the lights will be another 8-10 inches above the water level.
I'd also like to mention that I'm trying to avoid running a chiller.

 

[spiderwoman]

I have a 29" high tank and I'm running 3 400W MH's on it. I have 2 different ballasts... a dual PFO and an IceCap. Bulb is EVC 14k and I have actinic support (Reef Blue in the back and Super Actinics in front)

 

[stanlalee]

3x400w or 3x250 HQI (make sure you use HQI ballast if going 250w)

 

[snakeblitz33]

I personally think 400watts is overkill, but that's just me.

 

[pbnj]

Will a 400W electronic ballast accomodate any 250W bulb, or does it need a 400W bulb?
I'm thinking of getting the more powerful ballasts so as to have the option of using either 250W or 400W bulbs.

 

[snakeblitz33]

nope 400w ballast = 400w bulb
250w ballast =250w bulb
Can't interchange them.
Only thing that you could change (if you were to do it) is to use a "conversion bulb" that uses an HPS ballast and a "conversion" metal halide bulb. It's cheaper to do it that way, but I don't know what it says for the spectrum. If you want to find more info about conversion bulbs, visit some pot growing websites.

 

[jackri]

Snakeblitz is right.. you CAN NOT interchange them.
You have good space in between your lights and tank and you'll get less heat from the 250w's.
Pros of 250w
A little less heat
Less electricity
Cheaper to buy
Cheaper bulb replacements
Can grow anything you want
Pros of 400w
Can grow anything you want
lol... up to you still though

 

[pbnj]

Thanks for the advice.
Think I'll go 250W when the time comes. I can always play around with coral placement if necessary.