Who's running 400w MH's over SPS?

[luke33]

Anyone running 400w mh's over their sps tank? I haven't ran mh's for 7+ yrs but I think I'd like to put one over the frag tank which currently has a 300w mars led. Tank is 36x24x12"........most likely will hang the light 12" or so above the sps, any thoughts?

 

[mtraylor]

you cant go wrong with a nice 400watt Radium Bulb

 

[Graffiti Spot]

What's to think about, still one of the best choices for lighting and growing nice acros.

 

[UFreefer]

I still run 400 radiums, for big tanks, they cant be beat

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Shoot I run two on my 3' cube in a modded reflector :) but yea I wouldn't run a big tank without them.

 

[luke33]

So you guys think the 400 would be the way to go vs 250 for sps exclusively?

 

[themcnertney]

I ran 3 400w MH over my 220 for a few years. Awesome light.
Go with 250 IMO.

 

[aabjones888]

Do it, halides all the way!

 

[Graffiti Spot]

The corners won't get as much light as you might need with a 250. A 400 may still be barely cutting it. Maybe just use a very good large reflector.

Imagine all the people who started this hobby with LEDs, imagine all of them putting 400w radium over their tanks. I wonder how many complaints we would hear. Considering heat and electricity would be accounted for :)

 

[Tom Blevins]

I believe Gary with Reefpets does.

 

[TighTT]

I run a Sfiligoi fixture over my ELOS 160XL that contains two 400 watt Radiums, four t5's and two blue LED strips (for pop). It burns electricity but the corals love it. =)

 

[KJoFan]

I will be running a 250w MH on my 32"x24"x20" sps tank w/ 4x Reefbrite strips. Can't comment yet on success, but don't anticipate any issues with having enough/too much light.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I run a Sfiligoi fixture over my ELOS 160XL that contains two 400 watt Radiums, four t5's and two blue LED strips (for pop). It burns electricity but the corals love it. =)

I love that fixture, a friend just gave me two single bulb fixtures and I am about to add them in place of some t5. I wish I could find an acls for them though :(

 

[Graffiti Spot]

The corners won't get as much light as you might need with a 250. A 400 may still be barely cutting it. Maybe just use a very good large reflector.

Imagine all the people who started this hobby with LEDs, imagine all of them putting 400w radium over their tanks. I wonder how many complaints we would hear. Considering heat and electricity would be accounted for :)

Actually I take that back I meant a 400 will cut it. Especially hung a little higher to get the spread you want.

 

[aabjones888]

I believe the very little extra energy it takes is well worth it. Better faster growth for sure.

 

[luke33]

Yea, I moved away mostly from LED two yrs ago and back to T5. Now its time to go back in time again, get that good growth and color : )

I will run one 400 over it and see how it does for coverage. I have a par meter so i'm not worried, can always raise it up.

I have been sps dominant since 06 but never ran more than a 250mh, so this should be fun. I look forward to bumping the light and burning myself once again.

 

[luke33]

I run a Sfiligoi fixture over my ELOS 160XL that contains two 400 watt Radiums, four t5's and two blue LED strips (for pop). It burns electricity but the corals love it. =)

Nice setup, very clean look and crisp. Lots of electricity but I bet the sps love it.

 

[alten78]

I always thought depth of the tank was the deciding factor in whether to go with 250's or 400's? I ran 250 radiums on my 75g (21" height) for several years and could grow anything on the bottom.

 

[MRodrigues1991]

In the same boat kind of...can't decide between T5s or Halides....:mad:

 

[andrew james]

My giesemann spectra with 250w radion. and 4 actinic t5 hung 12" above water does 840 par at the water's surface.