The Wife Said YES!! Have some questions

[nauticac4]

I came across a deal to good to pass up. A 3' x 3' x 31" cube.

Will a 250Watt Halide in a large lumenarc reflector with a XM10k and 4 x 39W T5's be enough to light the tank?

I plan on housing LPS and some of the easier SPS. I also have a large deresa, maxima and squammy that will be transfered into this tank. System will be roughly 225 gallons total.

 

[Untamed12]

I would say that your plan will work fine. In a cube, I assume most all the action will be the centre portion. The outsides won't be getting as much light, but that is probably fine.

31" deep is pretty deep for a 250W, but you don't seem to have plans for keeping high light requirement stuff. Besides, you could keep that stuff closer to the surface.

 

[Jflip2002]

It will work easily. You could skip the T5s all together and save cash, even. I had a large Lumenarc on my 36x36x20, and could keep SPS on the sandbed. Run a good combo like a Galaxy or ice cap ballast and a radium 20k, and you should be able to keep SPS from the mid level and up.

 

[ksalt]

Personally, I would go with a (one) 400w (especially with 31" H).

 

[nauticac4]

I thought about a 400W but I already have a 250ARO ballast. That I was planning to use. I may sell both the ballast and try to upgrade to a 400W but I am hoping the 250 will be plenty. Trying take some of the sting out of the light bill.

 

[nauticac4]

Fogot to add that my major concern is the clams. they have been with me for quite a while.

 

[Jflip2002]

I dont think the 250 will be a good choice. If you use a 250w, it has to be pretty close to the water, then it wont spread enough, so you WILL need those T5s. I guess its a wash between the two, Id personally save the hassle and changing of 5 bulbs, rather than 1, and just use a 400w. They should be on here for dirt cheap. I sold a Lumenarc, 2 month old radium and Ice capp 400w for like $160 or so.