Metal Halides over a 20 high

[jmvaldes80]

I currently run a 4 bulb, t5 fixture from Aquaticlife. I'm wanting to up my lighting to a metal halide because I want to start growing SPS. My question is what wattage of MH should I get 150 or 250. My current corals are:

GSP
Zoas
Torch
Xenia
Rose Bubble Tip

I know the 1st 2 don't need to much light, but don't want to burn them up.
My anenome seems not to mined the light that I have now too much. But the torch doesn't open up all that well when its on the sand. Which MH do you guys recommend?

 

[jmvaldes80]

70 views and no opinions?

 

[DownwardDawg]

I'm starting up a 125. I think its 20" high as well. I'm going with 250 watt halides. Radiums with VHO actinics.

 

[tkeracer619]

to be specific.

20" high or a 20 gallon tank?

 

[bskiba]

I would say 250 or 150 would grow just fine. my only worry would be heat. the halide will heat the tank up a bit so you better have some cooling ability. t5's or led's would grow any sps you want.

but to answer your question.
250 would be really strong and if you have a chiller
150 should be plenty

 

[jmvaldes80]

20 gallon high and it's 17 inches high. So to be clear 150 would be good for growing sps anywhere

 

[Bluewater04]

I have a 15 gallon tall and have a 14k 150w de over it and have no problems growing anything.

 

[TimeConsumer]

I don't think the torch is suffering from any lack of light. I have a torch coral on the sandbed of my 75g which has a 4 bulb Tek over it. They do fine in lower light environments.

But if you want higher intensity, I'd wait a few weeks for the Kessil A350w to arrive.

 

[Michigan Mike]

I wouldnt go more than 150w, even the 70w fixtures may work...but not sure.

 

[Michigan Mike]

You can probably grow some SPS in near the top of your tank now. I think the fixture you have is great...what kind of bulbs do you have in it? A couple good ati, UVL, or geisseman bulbs go along way...

 

[jmvaldes80]

Well right now, I have the stock bulbs that came with it. But this week my new ati coral plus and aqua blues are coming in.

 

[odoprelude]

I have a 150w mh JBJ K2 Viper over my 20 high. I grow sps with no problems, but seem to have issues with BTA's. Have had a green and a rose BTA die in this tank within a matter of weeks. Checking the board and some local knowledgable reef keepers and the conclusion is too much light.. Just an FYI.. never thought that could be an issue with anemones. Water params were fine, good growth on sps and other coral.. I fed both of the BTA's..
Personally going to go with a Radion soon. Be easier to use when I have room for a bigger tank than the Viper, but overall, great idea. 250w may be too much though. HTH!

 

[GSMguy]

I run a 250w DE pheonix on an aquamedic m-80 ballast (so about 320w) on my 20G long. I don't have any heat issues but I have the light raised 18" above the tank.

 

[DownwardDawg]

I run a 250w DE pheonix on an aquamedic m-80 ballast (so about 320w) on my 20G long. I don't have any heat issues but I have the light raised 18" above the tank.

I run a DE Pheonix right now over my 30 gal. I was wondering how the single end Pheonix would look using the Lumatek Select-A-Watt ballast.

 

[jmvaldes80]

too much light for anenome, thats suprising I thought these creatures thrived on light. I think my bulbs are shifting because the nem has moved from the sandbed to the top of one of my rocks. I was thinking of getting the Hamilton Belize fixture with the actinics and lunar lights. Does anyone have any experience with it?

 

[6Speed]

I run a 250w DE pheonix on an aquamedic m-80 ballast (so about 320w) on my 20G long. I don't have any heat issues but I have the light raised 18" above the tank.

Do you have any pics? How bad is the light spill?

 

[jmvaldes80]

well my ati's came this week, and man what a difference. my bta is bulbing now and all my corals seem to like the new bulbs. I'm going to put off the mh for now.