18" high tank what watt halides?

[akma]

I have a 48x30x18 tank and am planning on switching back to metal halides from T5's. Do you guys think 250 watt halides is overkill and I should stick with 150 watt?

 

[Dylan]

It depends.. if you want a full blown complete SPS reef I would go with 250w halides, but if you want SPS on the top and around the middle and a mixed reef, I would probably go with 150. You can do 250 if you want more power though. What did you have before?

 

[akma]

My first tank was MH and I had the best growth and color back then with a 14k phoenix bulb.
Then I upgraded and past 2 tanks have been T5's but I prefer halides.
Currently on my tank i'm using an Aquactinics solar flare HO T5.

 

[GrouperGenius]

Depends on how high off the water the lights are. My tank is 18" deep and my 250 halides are 30" off the water. Still getting good growth SPS and Palys.

 

[Frank]

my tank is 18" deep and I use the 150 radiums on legs 4" above the water not having any problems.

 

[AZDesertRat]

My 100G tank is 23" high with a 6" DSB and I use two 250w MH set 9" above the water surface. Growth with XM 10k and VHO actinic supplementation was amazing. Today growth with the Reeflux 12k is pretty slow but the color is nice. I think I'll try the Coralvue 14k or 20k bulbs next, the PAR is supposed to be very good for a bluer bulb.

 

[Dylan]

I know you can have a clam on the bottom with 150w halides if it is close enough to the water.

 

[akma]

I have a mixed reef going more towards sps now. Just dont' want to bleach any corals since my tank is shallower.

 

[Angels 2010]

Depends on how high off the water the lights are. My tank is 18" deep and my 250 halides are 30" off the water. Still getting good growth SPS and Palys.

Totally agree, depends on the height off the water. My 175s are 4" of the water so i would feel pretty confident keeping SPS at mid tank or higher.

Grouper, you seriously have your lights 30" off the water? Why so High? Can you post some pics?

 

[mfinn]

My zoanthid tank is 18" deep and I use a 250 watt se Radium on a PFO HQI ballast.
My bulb is 9" off the water.

 

[650-IS350]

Mine is a 37 cube thats roughly 20" high and I have the 250Mh 14K phoenix about 10-12" off the waters surface. full blown reef mixed corals.

 

[maus42]

I keep softies, lps and sps in a shallow 40 (48x30x12) with dual 250's raised a bit higher than usual from the water top (about 18" instead of 10"). Everything is super happy.

 

[GrouperGenius]

Grouper, you seriously have your lights 30" off the water? Why so High? Can you post some pics?

I did it so I could get anywhere around in the tank with ease.

Here's the thread I started when I was building the tank. There's pics of the lights on page 2.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f52/groupers-8-225-diy-build-20981.html

 

[bamastunter]

I have 250's on my 24'' deep tank they are about 8'' from the tank and do real well it realy comes down to your preference

 

[rock_lobster]

You should use a 150 unless you want to go all SPS or a 250 20k would work if you dont mind the blue.