2 x 150w or 1 x 400w ?

[A.G]

I am planning on adding SPS corals in the coming weeks so I wanted to be sure that my lighting would be OK.
i have 2 X 150W 15k MH that is working great for my soft and LPS corals but not for the sps as they always turn brown in frw weeks. I have access to get one 400w 14K MH fixture that only comes with a single bulb. My tank diameter 43"L X 21" W X 21"H.
with NO central brace. Would I be able to keep sps in all parts of my tank? I was thinking of moving soft and LPS to the shaded areas ( sides) and keep most sps in the center?

Also, how high should I place the fixture? am probably going to remove the glass shiled that comes with the fixture since it is single ended bulb.

Thanks in advance,

A.G

 

[A.G]

Or would the 2x150w be OK?

 

[reef runt]

150s will be ok

 

[A.G]

Thanks reef ,

one more thing.Since I'll be adding SPS corals do you think that running the halides for 12hr (I do 10hr) would improve my chance wth coloration?

 

[reef runt]

yes i use 150s for 12hrs . and my sps are doing realy well

 

[A.G]

reef runt,

Why didnt you said that you run 150s from the start ?That would've saved you lots of time answering my Qs

How is the growth/color in your SPS? do you run activated carbon or Ozone?

 

[reef runt]

dont run anything

just good water movment and my 150s

my tank is the same depth, and i can keep acros and montipora near the bottom on the tank. get good growth and colour.

 

[Wiskey]

I think the 150's should be fine over that tank too, if you have problems with corals browning out you may want to look into water quality and nutreants.

Whiskey