Lighting experts please give information.

[tperk9784]

On a 20 inch high tank will 250W DE MH be a huge difference over a 150W DE MH. Now I know some people are always gonna say bigger is better but are the Par readings going to be that much higher with the 250?

Please edumacate this lighting newbie!

 

[lpsluver]

What ever the PAR ratings, that is a butt-load of light for a 20" tank. I kept clams and sps in a 60hex (30") and they grew and well with 150HQI. JMO FWIIW

 

[nyvp]

what are you trying to grow? If its just sps then anything goes . if not and its a mixed stay with what you have. The added heat and electric bill wont be worth it. I run 4-250's in my 560/g 120Lx36Wx30H

 

[racermike27]

I agree with Joe it really depends on what you want to keep.

On a small tank like that though you will probably encounter heat issues with the 250W.

I have a 250 over a 12" high frag tank though. LOL

 

[ReefWreak]

150w or even 75w would be just fine for anything. Some people try to push the limits with 250w or even 1kw over some of the bigger tanks, and it's absolutely unnecessary. You'll do fine with a 150. The PAR will be higher from the 250, but the coral only need so much, and bigger isn't always better, because too much light will induce other negative side effects.

 

[racermike27]

Very True...

I run the halide over the frag tank on and off every other hour or so. It only runs for a total of 5 hours for the day total. My main tank runs about 8 hours for the day. With the actinics on for 10 hours.