Is 1 250W MH ok for a 65?

[32flavors]

I have a 65 AGA 24" tall, which I am piggybacking off of a monster system that sits under my 75.

The 75 will be a SPS / flow loving tank, and the 65 will be more mellow for my bubble and LPS stonies as well as a few softies (yes I know some softies like a lot of flow--it will still have moderate flow near the top region--but I want to protect the SPS from the chemical warfare softies sometimes engage in via the UV in the sump).

I have 3 socket/reflectors and currently 3x250 MH ballasts and bulbs. I also have 2x110W VHO actinics for the 75.


Will 1 250W be ok for the 65 with the Bubble on the bottom?


OR--if I end up using all 3x250W on the SPS and purchase another MH for the 65, which wattage for a single bulb would be best?

The LPS stonies in the 65 will be the ones that just don't like all the flow in the 75.

Thanks all!!

Cheree

 

[reefnetworth]

one 250W with a 14K bulb would be plenty for softies and LPS, and display more of the irredescent colors.

 

[32flavors]

Yeah, I love the 14K and will be trying them when I replace my current bulbs, 20K.

 

[str8clownr]

i have 2 250 watters with 20k bulbs on my65, and it looks awesome

 

[32flavors]

Do I need 2 250's for an LPS and softies tank?

 

[belgian_waffleman]

one bulb should do, but having a center brace will leave a nasty shadow.

Some people replace the center brace with a clear acrylic strip.

Waffleman

 

[sudsy]

I have a 58 which is almost the same dims as a 65 but no center brace and i use a i 250 mh and 2 95 watt vho actinics and it reaaly does a great job, just get a good reflector. I used to use a 400 mh but the heat was just too much tank would get way too hot during the summer.

mike

 

[32flavors]

Thanks Waffleman and Mike.... ahh the brace... will probably eventually do 2 175W and some T5HO actinics