250w enough for 30" deep tank?

[axia55]

I am getting ready to move and I was planning on getting a standard AGA 90g. Then I got to thinking, why not get a 110g which is the same foot print, just 6" higher (30" vs 24" for the 90). So my question is, would 2x250w HQI and 2xT5's or PC's be enough for LPS, softies and a couple of easier clams?

 

[mile sq. reefer]

At 30" you may want to consider 400w, especially if you change your mind and go with SPS. The 250 should be adequate for what you want to currently stock. As for the clam go with a Derasa. A 120 also has a good foot print 48x24x24 and a good choice for 250 MH lighting with supplemental T5. You could keep just about any light loving animal. Good Luck.

 

[Ti]

It can, but I would do 400W

 

[baja_hammer2003]

I have 250 watters on a 30" deep tank all softies doing great

 

[Hop]

Fine for sofites. My tank is 30" as well and I'm planning 400 watt upgrades as I put it back together. 250s will be fone for just about abything up high, but will limit what you can put on the bottom.

 

[nyvp]

also depends on bulbs. 250w xm10k run on pfo hqi ballasts have more par (185) then most 400w .

 

[nick18tjetta]

Bigger is better run 4 1000 watters.

I however run 2 Iwasaki 175w 15k's on an electric ballast. They have great par values, great color, use less electricity, and don't boil my tank.

 

[Puffer Daddy]

I run 3 250 MH's (ab's on PFO ballasts). My 150 is 30" deep. Dont have any problems. I have crocea's about halfway for 3 yrs now...darn puple digi (easisest sps) will grow on my sand bed. Now, other sps i have to put on the top third. If anything, i will go to luminarcs b/4 400's (heat and power costs)

 

[hahnmeister]

Or, as long as you are thinking about it, rather than a 90g... go only 6" deeper and you have a 120g... 48x24x24h. Much more useful space, and much easier to light... 2x250wattDE 10,000Ks with 4x54wattT5s (2x actinic and 2x blue+).

 

[SDguy]

I use 14K phoenix 250's on icecaps on my 31" tall tank. I don't have an issue keeping SPS near the bottom, though most are kept near the top 1/2 to 1/3 of the tank. If you want to grow yellow porites on your sandbed, then yeah, go 400's.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9983577#post9983577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
I use 14K phoenix 250's on icecaps on my 31" tall tank. I don't have an issue keeping SPS near the bottom, though most are kept near the top 1/2 to 1/3 of the tank. If you want to grow yellow porites on your sandbed, then yeah, go 400's.

Second this. I have a 22" deep tank, and commonly burn things on the sand with 2x250. If you want to go with SPS on the sand, you may need 400s, may not. If you're just planning on SPS in the top half, theres no reason for 400s.