I can either get 2 175w mh 20k lights for $75 a piece (wich inclues everything) or 2 400w mh 20k lights for $85 a piece, would the 400's be over kill or would the 175's be good enough I currently only have a 55 but am looking to upgrade to a larger tank (possibly 125) what do you think?
175 w compared to 400 w mh
- Thread starter mikalis
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pimpinitup6969
New member
buy the 400s and just use one on the 55 until you upgrade?
pimpinitup6969
New member
to get the coverage you want your gonna need to raise the 400 up over the tank a little farther.
reefscape15
New member
I'd keep the light about 18"--2' off the water, but the spread will come from what type of reflector you choose. If you have the money, Lumenbrite 3's are one of the best reflectors you can buy. They have a pretty good spread, but on a 55gal, you'd most likely have to run some supplimental lighting to get all the way out to the edges. On the 55gal, the 2 175's would be much better, but on a 125 the 400watt's are still a bit of overkill. The difference between the wattages of MH lighting mostly effects depth penetration. 175watt penetrates up to about 18". 250 is up to 24", and 400 is about 32-36". Anything deeper would need 1000watt halides to get any type of lighting down to the bottom of the tank. If you could get the 2 175watt lights and then buy either a 250 or 175 as a 3rd light for when you upgrade to a 125
well I am looking at a seller on ebay and I can choose between 175, 250 and 400 ranging in price from $75 - $85 so I can pretty much customize what I want. Since the 250's you said can go to 24" maybe I should just get 3 250's and just use 2 for now and then 3 for the 125? Sound like a plan?
pimpinitup6969
New member
i would def agree with getting the 250's because you could use them both now and when you upgrade you will be fine too! the problem with that is if you upgrade to a bigger tank they usually have 2 center braces that make them hard to light with just 2 halides. i however might be selling a 150 that i have that has just one center brace that might work out perfect for you!
pimpinitup6969
New member
just got your pm after i submitted this message
reefscape15
New member
I think that going with 2 250's now would be good and you could still save one or get another one when you get your 125. 250watt bulbs are more than enough, and you would be able to get away with 175, but if you can afford the 250's then i'd have to suggest you just go with them
reefscape15
New member
It's nice to be an electrician that's into fish as well! I've gotten quite a few freebies from work, and have been able to save quite a bit of money that way
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