Advice on 250w or 400w Radiums?? (48"x30"x20")

[Enjoy]

I am currently setting up my SPS dominant 48"x30"x20" and was curious to see what the overall opinion for lighting.

Currently I have:

2 - Lumenbright large 20"x20"
2 - Lumatek 250/400 ballast
2 - 48" ReefBrite Actinic
4 - Apex lunar sim moonlights

With a depth of 20" should I run 250w Radiums, or 400w Radiums?

 

[Mr. Brooks]

250's should be plenty

 

[Enjoy]

I was planning on only using 2-250w, but I have a few others telling me that I could benefit using 400w for SPS growth.

I would rather stick to 250w as far as my elctricity bill goes, but if it will make a big difference in growth rates switching to 400w I will give it a try.

Anyone else?

 

[t4zalews]

250's should be plenty

+1, 400w would be overkill, especially with the lumenbright reflectors.

 

[WayneL333]

20" is relatively shallow. 250 would be more than ample.

 

[JOSE CASAS]

+1, 400w would be overkill, especially with the lumenbright reflectors.

ditto +1

 

[flyyyguy]

I woudlnt go as far as saying the 400w would simply just be too much. I run 400's over part of a 16" deep tank.

But, using 400's over a 20" deep tank is no doubt a bunch of light. Being as you have the capability to do both with that set up, it is a no brainer to start out with the 250's. If and when you get to a point where you think you could deal with more light, you are just a bulb purchase away from test driving the notion.

 

[LifeAquatic]

.

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400 wt on 20" tall tank is way overkill. You will have plenty of light with those 250wt.

 

[BADGUS]

I have 2x250 Radium's with the same reflectors(square) over a 5'x2'x2' and it's plenty of light.SPS growing great even inches from the sandbed.

 

[toothman]

I really love that set up nice and clean. I have a 6 foot x 3 foot by 30 inches deep tank, with 3 400 watt mh on one side and 3 250 watt mh on the other, and 4 vho actinic. The side with the 400's is better. With the height away from the water of your reflector 400 watt bulbs would be better. But all that said 250's are fine, keep in mind 20k bulbs have a low par compared to 10k.

 

[Phishguy]

250w will be plenty. I believe with 400's you'd have trouble with placement because of too much light. Just my opinion

 

[mcoomer]

What is the depth when measured from the fixture to the bottom of the tank? If you're tank is 20" and you've got what looks like another 12-16" from the top of the tank to the light fixtures you can probably run 400's and avoid a lot of the heat issues because of all the air space you have.

Good looking setup.

Mike

 

[Justdrew]

I run 400 watt radium over a 21" high 37 gallon. My sps love it and I have no heat issues. My temp rises about 2 degrees while the mh is on. Bottom of pendant is about 13" off water surface.

Drew

 

[Enjoy]

Thanks so much to everyone who responded.

I think the smartest bet would be to run the 250w's since I already have 2-sets of Radium bulbs, then eventually switch over to 400w.

Can you guys recommend a good 400w that is comparable to the Radium?
I have heard that the Radium 400w tend to have an inconsitency between bulbs color temps.

I used to use Helios 400w 20k, but can't seem to locate them easily.

Any suggestions?
Thanks again

 

[Frick]

I have a 400w Raid over my 40g, but it is completely SPS. 250s should work fine for you. Very nice canopy btw.

 

[Flightdeck]

I have a 400 watt xm in a lumin arc reflector 6 inches above tank (90 gal cube sps). Love the colors of the xm little more blue than my radium that appeared more white/blue. I am also seeing a little faster growth with the xm than the radium so far I have only had the bulb running for about 3 weeks so the color may change a little in the next couple few weeks.
As far as the comment of radiums are inconsistent with color temps I have used radiums for 3 years and done 4 bulb changes and noticed little difference between the 4 bulbs. It did seem after about 2 months of burn on them they get a little white though. to me any ways. I did also read somewhere that there was inconsistent color temps not sure where but I have not experienced this my self.