Would 250w w/2 compact 65w bulbs be overkill on 29g?

[Korrine]

Wanting to eventually get into keeping lps namely brains, torch or frogspawn.

The unit has one 250watt halide, which I plan to put a 15,000k in and holds 2 65 watt bulbs which may conisist of 1 actinic and 1 10k...not sure yet on the 65w bulb types.

What do you think???

Thanks :rollface:

 

[Reefun]

YES unless you hang it two feet over the tank.

 

[Korrine]

lol ok. I get your point Should I stick with a 150 watt or what would you think is best??

 

[kev apsley]

stick with the 150w trust me...250w will be way too much light for that size tank and those type of corals

 

[Korrine]

okie dokie

I'll trust you

Another ?. What about a 175 SE retro fit? Enough light to cover the tank by itself?

 

[kev apsley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14858298#post14858298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Korrine
okie dokie

I'll trust you

Another ?. What about a 175 SE retro fit? Enough light to cover the tank by itself?

plenty

 

[Korrine]

Ya know at one point I was pondering a clip-on fixture with a DE 150w light.

Like this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+19309&pcatid=19309

or this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13922&pcatid=13922

What I currently have is 96w of power compacts. 2 bulbs are 50/50 10k and actinic and the other 2 are all 10k.

 

[Korrine]

I do like more of a blue hue, which I think is easier to achieve with halide, while still providing the corals with useable good light.

 

[Korrine]

Do you think my pc lights that I currently have will provide enough light or should I go ahead and buy the metal halide?

Thanks in advance

 

[E.intheC]

MH MH! haha.. however, brains don't typically need tons of light, IME.

Have you thought about a t-5 setup? I think you can get great color combos with T-5s, and the lights don't run as hot.

 

[Shawnbeaulieu]

I got a 250 W with 2 65w PC on my 29 tank and things are loving it in it all the lps and zoas.

 

[Korrine]

I bought some lights at our lrc meeting yesterday.

Reflectors and ballast for 4-65w pc bulbs. Yes, they still are pc but figured that should give enough light for most any lps. 260 watts total. I'll have 2 10k and 2 actinics, I think.

 

[kev apsley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14942398#post14942398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Korrine
I bought some lights at our lrc meeting yesterday.

Reflectors and ballast for 4-65w pc bulbs. Yes, they still are pc but figured that should give enough light for most any lps. 260 watts total. I'll have 2 10k and 2 actinics, I think.

Definitely! I have seen awesome LPS tanks lit with pc's..Keep us posted!!

 

[Korrine]

Sure. I'm getting a pair of clowns w/a torch at the end of May pending I get my new lights up and running. The clowns are hosting the torch(that's why I'm getting them together).

The purchase was $25 and everything looks to be in good shape. I hope it turns out good :rollface:

 

[bigdaddy76]

you figure average 6 watt per gallon of water volume.

 

[Korrine]

But aren't watts per gallon deceiving? I guess I thought that different watts are different. For example 150 w metal halide is stronger than 150w pc's or T5's? Yes or no?

 

[ohiofry]

I have a 29.
The only way that I would ever suggest running 250WMH is if you had SPS only, and all coral was flat on the bottom of the tank with the light 2 feet off the top.

Just about every LPS will get smoked in no time unless your light is 2'+ off of the top of your tank. - and I still don't recommend it.

You will likely have temp issues too.

 

[Korrine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14956447#post14956447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ohiofry
I have a 29.
The only way that I would ever suggest running 250WMH is if you had SPS only, .

We're not talking MH anymore. It's power compact. What do you think about that wattage w/PC's?

2-65 watt actinic and 2-65 watt 10k

 

[E.intheC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14956447#post14956447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ohiofry
I have a 29.
The only way that I would ever suggest running 250WMH is if you had SPS only, and all coral was flat on the bottom of the tank with the light 2 feet off the top.

Just about every LPS will get smoked in no time unless your light is 2'+ off of the top of your tank. - and I still don't recommend it.

You will likely have temp issues too.

PCs are definitely not as intense as T-5 or Halides.

Think of it this way.. Some of the really cheap hoods (mostly sold for freshwater tanks) have the incandescent lighting. 15 watts of NO flr. lighting is much brighter than even a 50 watt incan. bulb.

 

[SpencerG]

I think 260 watts of PC coursing through a 29g tank is more than enough for what you're planning on keeping. Just my experience, but I had LPS and even SPS thriving in my 40 breeder with 192 watts of PC (2 96 watts bulbs). The only thing you might have trouble keeping would be a clam, assuming you get the itch to keep one.

Crank those lights up and have fun!