Yet ANOTHER Lighting Question!

[scott9311]

I'm planning setting up a 270 gal tank that is 36" tall, and was wondering if anyone has had success with a tank that tall using only 250 watt MH's...? I have a few corals in the sandbed of my 120 that are thriving under the 250's, and would hate to put them in the 270 w/out enough light, unless someone here has had prior success. Also, I'm cheap and am trying to save money!

 

[robchuck]

With 36" of depth, 250W MH won't penetrate much beyond 24". You would probably be able to keep lower light corals at the bottom of the tank however.

 

[scott9311]

Yeah... I was afraid of that Rob. Correct me if I'm wrong please... but the next wattage bulb is 400w? That just seems like such a lot of light!

I wish I could see what it would look like...

 

[robchuck]

400W is the next step up and wouldn't be all that much light. I know of a guy that had a 400W MH over a 20g!!!

 

[barry cuda]

To do what, brew coffee?

 

[bot587]

lol (to brew coffee). If you went with 2 400 MH you mwould still be under the 5 watts per gallon rule (which bends at higher gallons). 250's are far to weak, definitely go with the 400's.