Lighting 250W or 400W? SE or HQI?

[fishnugget]

Have a 210 gallon tank. Have had 400w 10k for 2 years. Constantly fighting algea issues. Have all types of corals. Thinking of switching to 250 watt se or HQI.

Any thoughts? I like a bright white light. Which HQI? Bulbs.

I also run 2 blue super acrtinic URI.

Is it true that 250HQI throws close to as much light as 400watt SE?

Tank is 29" deep. Lights sit 10-12 inches above tank

 

[fishnugget]

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[Ti]

XM 10K

 

[toccata]

A lfs by me has 2 tanks setup. One is with DE 250 HQI, the other SE 400. Both 10K. There absolutely is no comparison. The 250 HQI's much nicer light. Much more light. I just added a 3 250 HQI fixture. The tank is fairly deep. I think the 400's SE would not have done it for me, and the 400 hqi's would have been overkill.

 

[fishnugget]

What do you mean there is no comparison. My tank is 29" deep

What do you mean there is no comparison. My tank is 29" deep

I am using 400watt SE. Is the light with HQI whiter? What bulbs are you using? I think my 400se might be overkill. Always fighting algea.

How are the mounted? It is time for me to change my 3 400watt mh bulbs. This is y I am considering changing.

 

[stevem650]

toccata writes

I just added a 3 250 HQI fixture

I'm curious..What type of fixture? I have a canopy with 10" clearance. I'm looking to switch from VHO to HQI. Do you mount this to the inside top of the canopy?