175W or 250W for Maximas?
- Thread starter blulegend
- Start date
blulegend
Premium Member
The 250W MH was only $28 more than the 175W. Both include ballast and bulb. I went with the 250W for now. Had trouble with heat at first, but did a few mods (made exhaust vent from canopy, made heat exchanger) and the temp seems to have gotten under control. I'll have to see what happens in the next few days.
It's REALLY bright compared to my PCs. The bulb is 8" from the surface over my 15 gallon. But after about half a minute my eyes adjust and it appears normal intensity. At first glance is a different story.
You guys think this is too much light? So far two people have told me there isn't much of a difference in heat produced by a 175W versus a 250W. Hellolights said there isn't really a difference, and someone on Nano-reef.com said they ran the same two bulbs over a 29 and didn't notice a thing. That same person with the 29 said there was no difference in his corals or clam either between the two bulbs other than a little more electricity.
Any more thoughts?
It's REALLY bright compared to my PCs. The bulb is 8" from the surface over my 15 gallon. But after about half a minute my eyes adjust and it appears normal intensity. At first glance is a different story.
You guys think this is too much light? So far two people have told me there isn't much of a difference in heat produced by a 175W versus a 250W. Hellolights said there isn't really a difference, and someone on Nano-reef.com said they ran the same two bulbs over a 29 and didn't notice a thing. That same person with the 29 said there was no difference in his corals or clam either between the two bulbs other than a little more electricity.
Any more thoughts?
miamidolphins
In Memoriam
you can always try a 1000 watt 36 inches above the surface
blulegend
Premium Member
So far my maxima is about 14" below the surface and the 250W 10000K is about 9" above the surface for about 23" total. It is doing well and is getting more vibrant in color. It came to me as a dark purple and now it is becoming aqua in some places. It is not bleaching either. I feed it every day or every other day with DT's in a bowl since it is only 2". It's been almost 3 weeks and so far so good. I hope.
You can see a pic of it by clicking the inhabitants link in my sig.
You can see a pic of it by clicking the inhabitants link in my sig.
Jack, I'm glad you made the right choice and went w/ the 250. Don't get me wrong, 175's will work, but for just a few dollars more, you will now be able to keep pretty much any coral you've ever wanted without having to worry about not having adequate lighting.
Post some pics!
Post some pics!
ClownFishTycoon
New member
project reef what happend to mr. belvedeir and who's that dude in the new pic?
Tom Jones.
ClownFishTycoon
New member
Come on you gotta put mr. belvedere back on or what about wesley that was the original mean comedy. plus I love nastalga.
I'll bring Mr. B back in a month or so. It's now Tom's time to shine. Please, pay homage during his reign over R.C. :spin1:
blulegend
Premium Member
I have some sps frags that are coloring up nicely too. My yellow polyps are no longer golden, but bright yellow. My xenia looks better, and to top it off, my anemones are developing bubble tips again and getting a little lighter in color. So far, I love it. It's been 3 weeks with the 250W.
