Lighting Question

[Mock]

I have a 250 gallon tank that is 60x36x24 (27?). Currently I am running two 250 watt DE HQI metal halides. I have noticed as I have moved corals around that once I move them lower in the tank that the colors start to diminish. Right under the light at the bottom is good, but out at the corners I am losing a lot of color. I know its a lighting issue but the question is Do I change reflectors or do I change lights all together.

I am running the Lumen Bright Pendants which can be upgraded to 400watt with the change of the ballast.

So.. Do I swap to a wider lower pendant like the Lumen Max or do I upgrade to 400 watt or Do I just do what I have been thinking and add two more lights either 250 or 400 watts.

I am going to start moving this tank over to an SPS dominant tank from now on. I will be buying just SPS from now on and slowly replacing my soft corals.

 

[billwill]

If you have room for one more of the same pendant, I would think that would be about perfect.

 

[Mock]

Here in lies the confusion with me.. To buy one light pendant and ballast is almost dollar for dollar the same as buying two 400 watt ballast.... So.. Do you take 750 over 800... or...

The problem I have with adding one light is that the center brace will be right in the.... well... center... right under the new light...

So the option to go with the upgrade on ballast seems to be the better option over one more light...

I was thinking of adding two lights and moving the two I have out a little which would but two on each side... I had thoughts of having two run 20ks and two run 14k...

*facepalm*.... I am so confused... LOL

I dont want to break the bank but something has to give... LOL

 

[rtparty]

I say get creative and mount some T5s in there. Use the 60" bulbs and you will get some coverage on the ends at that point.

Right now you are set up for a 48" tank. I don't think the 400 watt lights will make any difference unless you also change out to big reflectors that will cover the 30x24 area. From what I have seen, most halides will only cover a 24x24 area.

The t5s will provide some more light and you can run a nice dusk/dawn schedule with them.

Or a second option would be to maybe get some Ecoxotic Panorama PRO modules and use them on the edges. I would use the reflectors for that deep of a tank but they aren't really required.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Mock]

I say get creative and mount some T5s in there. Use the 60" bulbs and you will get some coverage on the ends at that point.

Right now you are set up for a 48" tank. I don't think the 400 watt lights will make any difference unless you also change out to big reflectors that will cover the 30x24 area. From what I have seen, most halides will only cover a 24x24 area.

The t5s will provide some more light and you can run a nice dusk/dawn schedule with them.

Or a second option would be to maybe get some Ecoxotic Panorama PRO modules and use them on the edges. I would use the reflectors for that deep of a tank but they aren't really required.

Just some thoughts.

This was my next option.... I have been looking at adding T5s.. A set on the front and the back side of the halide pendants..