lighting questions

[jimmer5j]

I currently have a pc on my 125gal tank, its working well for my polyps xenia etc. But, I want to go to a metal halide, I have seen 150's 250's and 400's HQI or screw bulbs so many options why? I am shooting for hard corals and have been told 5 watts a gal but I want to keep my soft corals as well. Whats best, the tank is about 23" deep not quite sure how much that matters but i thought it might help you help me, anything helps thanks 5j

 

[demonsp]

All your coral will do better under this lighting.There are many light setups with many differant options.Research this buy real well.

 

[stevelkaneval]

actually how deep your tank is helps out a lot more than the watts per gallon. i would do a 400w mh or a 250 but with the 400 there will be no question as to what you can keep. and you can move the 400 up till you hit the cieling if you wanted too but you can only move the 250 so far down.

 

[ahullsb]

I agree Steve. I think for a 125g 250's would be sufficient, but jimmer5j are you going to upgrade anytime soon? If you are I would invest in 400's

 

[JENnKerry]

I run 3 250 MH's with PC actinics on my 125 and love them.

 

[jimmer5j]

does the spectrom of type of bulb matter? and what about these solaris deals? there damn expensive but if they last ten years and give you all the bennys of metal halide wouldn't the cost kinda equal out after ten years of bulb changes on a MH?

 

[ahullsb]

The spectrum can matter. It is about finding what look you like as well. Generally the lower kelvin bulbs like a 10k should provide higher PAR. But some coral seems to grow in different spectrums. I think if you are only using the mh's you would want something in the 14-20k range or your tank might appear too white or yellow. I've seen the solaris fixtures and they seem pretty cool, but some people have bought them and don't like them at all. Search some threads here in the lighting section and you should get all the info you need on them. Personally I would stick to mh's for the time being. I think you are right that bulb changes over the years can add up, but I'm still curious how these earlier Solaris systems will hold up after 5-10 years as well. (As I typed that my mh's shut off....) spooky. That's never happened before!