PDA

View Full Version : Difference 175MH vs 250MH


BCOrchidGuy
01-12-2004, 07:06 PM
I'm about ready to order my tank, 60x24x19tall. I like the 24 front to back for aquascaping etc. My question is, should I stick with the 175 watt MH units or should I go with 2 x250 watt MH. I plan on keeping mostly soft corals but some LPS as well. With the 19 inch depth I think I should be just fine with 175s but I thought I'd ask. I think given the 5foot length the 4 foot MH fixtures should work out fine, I can center them and keep a colt or such on each end.
I'd like to only set this up once, I can't tell you how many times I've set up a tank and then started changing everything around. My 90 did well with the 175s and I'd not keep anything in the new tank that I didn't keep in the 90.

Thoughts?

Doug

TNTCanada
01-12-2004, 07:24 PM
I had asked the same question about my tank I was told to go with 250w. Haven't purchased them so I can't tell you how well they do or not.

BCOrchidGuy
01-12-2004, 07:43 PM
I think I kind of anwsered my own question when I said, I don't plan on keeping anything in the new tank that I didn't have in the 90 so I think unless someone gives me an OMG I didn't think of that idea I'll stick with the 175s.

Doug

robbyville
01-12-2004, 09:21 PM
You're exactly right Doug,

I think that if you already own the 175's and not the 250's I would stick with those. there's no doubt that it would be better if you were planning on SPS and Clams to go with the 250's but why buy what you already have! If you do change your mind in regards to stocking plans you could always just mount any SPs high in the tank.

If someone were buying a new system though I would definitely recommend the 250's

ron101
01-12-2004, 09:28 PM
Also with a 5' tank you could add a third 175W down the road for better coverage (cross brace allowing).

BCOrchidGuy
01-12-2004, 10:20 PM
Good Point Ron I've got two 4 foot units so I've got 4 ballasts, I was just thinking cost wise in replacement bulbs etc. I've got my 26 bow for SPS and clams 400 watts over that seems to do the trick.
I guess the one other thing I could do to save $$ on the long run is go with 6500k 250s and then run a single VHO actinic. Thanks for the input folks.

Doug

StirCrazy
01-12-2004, 11:30 PM
if you can afford it go with the 250's it is night and day from a 175 to a 250.. doesent sound like much but it is a huge jump PAR wise, especialy if you go the HQI ballast route. I had 18" of water and a 175 to start with and then I upgraded to the 250's.. I can say I got a lot faster growth and a tone more color (even from the LPS and softies).

plus there are a lot more options for bulbs in the 250 size.

Steve

BCOrchidGuy
01-13-2004, 01:32 AM
Thanks Steve, I appreciate that. You think two 250W @ 6500k and a VHO actinic will do it?

Doug

StirCrazy
01-13-2004, 02:50 AM
do what :mrgreen: I am partial to 10000K bulbs but if you think it isn't blue enuf you can always add more actinics.

Steve

BCOrchidGuy
01-13-2004, 03:09 AM
Good point, more actinic, just out of curiosity, is there a big difference in Par between 6500k and 10,000k bulbs same wattage and same manufacturer?

Doug

StirCrazy
01-13-2004, 03:14 AM
Good point, more actinic, just out of curiosity, is there a big difference in Par between 6500k and 10,000k bulbs same wattage and same manufacturer?

Doug

um I am not sure of a manufacturer than makes both 6500 and 10000K but I imagin the 6500K would be a little higher, it depends on the spectrum they use to create the average of 6500K.

for what its worth I wouldent worry about the difference of PAR between a 6500 and a 10K as the 10K is a proven color in lots of tanks and at 250 watts should give you enuff PAR for anything.

Steve

ldzielak
01-13-2004, 03:14 AM
I have the same tank with 175s and I have no problems with SPS. I just got a couple of new tanks, want my tank? I have a kick ass stand, PM me if your interested.


Lee

BCOrchidGuy
01-13-2004, 03:21 AM
Steve wow, right again (you've done this before) I thought Ushio made the 6500k and the 10,000k.. you're not big on the Sun Aquatic bulbs are you? What's AB? is that Ushio? sorry for the questions, I'm just trying to figure things out.

Lee you've got the 118 tank? It' would probably be a bear for me to ship over, my truck isn't on the road. The LFS will deliver the tank for me when ever I want it so I'll probably just get the new one. How did you like the 118 though? Lots of room with the 24 inches front to back?

Doug

StirCrazy
01-13-2004, 03:29 AM
you're not big on the Sun Aquatic bulbs are you? What's AB? is that Ushio?
Doug

I would take a sunaquatic over a 6500 anyday, and if you haven't had a AB befor I think the SA would be a awsome bulbs as it is white just not as white as my AB's were.

AB is a bulb made by Aqualine of germany and is concidered to be one of THE bulbs in the industry but you will pay for it also. Ushio is another german bulb which I feel is a very nice bulb maybe a second place to the AB, after that I would put the Sun aquatic bulbs and bang for the buck they look like one of the best out there right now but I will know better after they have been run a while so the longjevity can be assessed. I used my AB's till they had 2 years on them and they still blaster out the PAR and looked awsome, but I might have just gotten luckey with a set of bulbs, but I wil definatly look for another set in the near future.

Sence you are upgrading to 250 maybe the SA bulbs will be perfect for you, they are pretty white, and look deicently intense and are cheep as can be.

Steve

BCOrchidGuy
01-13-2004, 03:32 AM
Yes cost wise they're something, I'd hate to see them go up to the same price as everything else in 6 months though.

Thanks for answering my questions.

Doug

ldzielak
01-13-2004, 05:01 AM
You got a PM, and I could use more than 24" wide, I can walk arrounf 3 sides of the tank, so I have corals all over. But you always want bigger after its filled in.

Lee