upgrade from 150-250w?

[kevin21]

hey,

need some quick replies!

My friends ballast blew. it was currently 150 hqi. he wants to replace the ballast and figured it he was going to replace it, why not upgrade?

he has a 55g tank. he currently has alot of monti's and such, will the upgrade from 150's to 250's melt up his monti's?

what damage could this do?

is this an over kill for a 55g?

thanks

 

[quack]

it's the depth of the tank that matters . . . a deeper tank needs highger wattage . . . so yes a 250 may affect residents higher in the tank until they accomodate

 

[Wiggawam]

Acclimate the corals with shade cloth or by raising the light.

 

[original-reefland]

He'll have to replace more than just the ballast. Not that simple, 150w HQI are different size bulbs than 250w HQI bulbs. So toss in new sockets, likely bigger reflectors as well. If its like my HQI system, you need different starter, capacitor and ignitor as well. Which probably leaves just the wires... migth as well replace them too!

The new lighting will need to be higher off the water for the critters to adjust and let you get an idea on the temperature increase to the water (may increase more as you lower it back down).

Once the monti's adjust they should look fantasic.