I am thinking about upgrading my lighting from 250w to 400w metal halides. I have a 65g tank. Right now I have two ice cap 250w metal halides and two 36" super vhos. I was thinking about going to two 400w metal halides only...maybe coralvue 12k's with no vho's. Do the 400w's run alot hotter than 250w?
Thinking of upgrading my lighting
- Thread starter jy544
- Start date
Pacific Reefs
New member
From my experience they run hotter and consume more energy.
TheGrog
Member
I would also have to agree that 400's are overkill for a 65. Unless you have a very deep tank and want to keep clams and SPS at the bottom (more than 24" deep), it is not worth it and would actually be detremental to some of the corals near the surface as they would bleach out. Not to mention the added heat and $$ to your power bill.
Keep your 250 bulbs fresh every 6 months, and you should be fine.
Keep your 250 bulbs fresh every 6 months, and you should be fine.
I was just looking to light up the bottom a little better. My 65 is 24" tall. I am not really worried about the increase in power because if I include the vhos and the 250 metal halides power consumption the 400's would only be 50 w more. I would only be using the 400 w's on the new lighting and a reduced lighting cycle. So really I would be using less energy. I am worried a little about the extra heat. I do have a chiller and fans so that should help. I have good color and growth now but am looking for a little more.
lifesworksataol
New member
me too :-D - i think you should just try different bulbs and water chemistry.
chrisstie
Premium Member
I wouldn't do it, especially in a tank so small. You might consider T5s with their reflectors, they tend to be very bright.
I haven't completed my research in it yet but there are PAR and PUR levels when you talk about lights. PAR in my horrible way of saying what I learned (probably not the most accurate words but hoepfully I get the idea across) is the intensity of light put out by a bulb. It depends on the kelvin rating, depth of water etc and can be measured pretty easily with some tools.
PUR is the amount of light that ends up being absorbed by the corals. Again, I'm not sure if I am saying that right but there is a way to quantitize what corals absorb.
Corals that need the most light or get the most light tend to go green whereas other depths and what not you will see other colors.
If you keep a lot of SPS in that tank you may see a color morph to the green side , but the whole thing is with 400W you are putting out more light than most corals want or use.
I suppose if you hung it really really high you could do it, but what's the point in that when you can change out a new bulb instead?
Just some thoughts. Sorry I"m not very articulate on this subject but its one that is confusing and lengthy to research. I plan to work on figuring it out more once I graduate and have more spare time
I haven't completed my research in it yet but there are PAR and PUR levels when you talk about lights. PAR in my horrible way of saying what I learned (probably not the most accurate words but hoepfully I get the idea across) is the intensity of light put out by a bulb. It depends on the kelvin rating, depth of water etc and can be measured pretty easily with some tools.
PUR is the amount of light that ends up being absorbed by the corals. Again, I'm not sure if I am saying that right but there is a way to quantitize what corals absorb.
Corals that need the most light or get the most light tend to go green whereas other depths and what not you will see other colors.
If you keep a lot of SPS in that tank you may see a color morph to the green side , but the whole thing is with 400W you are putting out more light than most corals want or use.
I suppose if you hung it really really high you could do it, but what's the point in that when you can change out a new bulb instead?
Just some thoughts. Sorry I"m not very articulate on this subject but its one that is confusing and lengthy to research. I plan to work on figuring it out more once I graduate and have more spare time
Similar threads
