Deep Tank (400w SE or 250 w DE)

[shaw]

I have been thinking about changing my lighting.
the tank is 3 feet deep. Now, i really don't need lighting to get to the bottom completely, but would be nice.
I was wondering what you all thought would be better.

a 400 Watt SE system
or a 250 Watt DE system over this tank. The price is pretty much the same. So, i was just wandering if the 250 w DE system would work. i'm leaning to the 250 watters, but just wanted to see if what you guys thought

thanks
shawn

 

[Julio]

I would go with the 400 watters, the 250 HQi actually burn at 383 watts, so they are pretty close to 400 watts, pluss the 400 SE are bigger bulbs and if placed in nice reflector will give you an even better spread.

 

[shaw]

Ya, i wish i was able to get the lumenarcs, but i will have to use pendants.
i just kind of thought that the 150w DE's burned about the same as 250w SE's. so maybe, the same for the 250DE's burned alsmost like the 400 watt SE.

thanks
shawn

 

[Omar H]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7254479#post7254479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Julio
I would go with the 400 watters, the 250 HQi actually burn at 383 watts, so they are pretty close to 400 watts, pluss the 400 SE are bigger bulbs and if placed in nice reflector will give you an even better spread.

:eek1: 383 watts! Where did you get that information. I realize that most ballasts use more watts than the nominal wattage of the bulb, but I had it in the back of my mind that 250hqi's were using about 300w, but 383 is extreme. I mean, why get 250hqi's when you're so close to 400w? Then again, if the 400w uses more than that, then that may be the answer.

Omar :strooper:

 

[szwab]

i'd go with the 400 watt bulbs. mine is 31 inches deep and am pleased with my 400 watt bulb

 

[shaw]

Ok, i'm thinking PFO pulse start ballast with 10k XM bulbs.
what do you think?
thanks
shawn

 

[Julio]

Omar, it is in Sanjay light study, if the bulbs are ran on an HQI ballast that is what they burn at.

 

[gobygoby]

Hey Shawn!!! Wuz up homey?

You should see my 400 watt DE!!! now that baby kicks some butt!

I am a huge fan of 250 DE. colors are great and PAR is even better.

I have have good luck with DE bulbs..seems to me corlas are healthier, brigter and grow faster under them..

Kyle

 

[Julio]

Hey Goby,
yes coral look better under HQI and are healthierr and grow faster and give you more PAR and is all because the bulb is being overdriven by an HQI ballast, if you run a SE bulb on an HQI ballast you would get the same results.

 

[shaw]

thanks guys.
hey Kyle, do you still dabble in sump making. i need one made. shoot me a pm if you are.

but, for DE 400 watters. which ballast and bulb combos are good. Icecap ballast and ....

thanks
shawn

 

[gobygoby]

I have the coralview setup for 400 DE. and a Coralview 10k bulb....its a little more yellow then an ushio or AB, but I have VHO actinics and it looks a nice color.