70w or 150w MH

geiges · 12/06/2007, 01:00 PM

should I run a 70w or a 150w MH on my new frag tank.
the tank is 2'x2'x8"?
I will be running a 14 to 20k.

DesertBandits · 12/06/2007, 01:12 PM

I understand 150w has a much more developed spectrum than a 70w MH, in other words, 70MHs are just crap. Also I doubt 70w will get you a 2 foot spread.

DarG · 12/06/2007, 02:22 PM

The spread depends on the reflector. I would run a 150, forget the 70. Buy a good reflector, Lumenmax, Lumenarc ... and you will get full coverage. Not much variety in 70 watt and the par is really low, especially with a bluer bulb. 150 watt on only 8" deep tank should be fine with a bluer bulb. You'll get full spread without a really severe hot spot with a quality reflector like the Lumenmax or Lumenarc.

geiges · 12/06/2007, 03:29 PM

mybe a 150w and make this Reflector.
I can get a good deal on a 70w sunpod and wood be a nice all in one light.

DarG · 12/06/2007, 04:44 PM

Coverage is limited by those tiny reflectors on the Current USA fixtures. I owned one and I personally wouldnt use one on a tank wider than 18". The tank is 24" wide, you would get better, more uniform coverage and less of a relative hot spot with a Lumenmax or Lumenarc reflector like in your pic and a single 150 watt than using even two 70 watt's in a Sunpod.

geiges · 12/06/2007, 07:30 PM

Darg thanks for the input .
mybe I shoud use 175w se so all my lights are the same?

geiges · 12/06/2007, 07:36 PM

what are the advantages of double ended MH vs. single ended bulbs if any ?

DarG · 12/06/2007, 11:27 PM

In good reflectors, either will do the job just as well. The rest of it just fires up a debate that usually gets ugly. 175 in a Lumenarc or Lumenmax would work great.

12/06/2007, 01:00 PM	#1
geiges Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lancaster PA. Posts: 80	70w or 150w MH should I run a 70w or a 150w MH on my new frag tank. the tank is 2'x2'x8"? I will be running a 14 to 20k.

12/06/2007, 01:12 PM	#2
DesertBandits Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 430	I understand 150w has a much more developed spectrum than a 70w MH, in other words, 70MHs are just crap. Also I doubt 70w will get you a 2 foot spread.

12/06/2007, 02:22 PM	#3
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	The spread depends on the reflector. I would run a 150, forget the 70. Buy a good reflector, Lumenmax, Lumenarc ... and you will get full coverage. Not much variety in 70 watt and the par is really low, especially with a bluer bulb. 150 watt on only 8" deep tank should be fine with a bluer bulb. You'll get full spread without a really severe hot spot with a quality reflector like the Lumenmax or Lumenarc.

12/06/2007, 03:29 PM	#4
geiges Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lancaster PA. Posts: 80	mybe a 150w and make this Reflector. I can get a good deal on a 70w sunpod and wood be a nice all in one light.

12/06/2007, 04:44 PM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Coverage is limited by those tiny reflectors on the Current USA fixtures. I owned one and I personally wouldnt use one on a tank wider than 18". The tank is 24" wide, you would get better, more uniform coverage and less of a relative hot spot with a Lumenmax or Lumenarc reflector like in your pic and a single 150 watt than using even two 70 watt's in a Sunpod.

12/06/2007, 07:30 PM	#6
geiges Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lancaster PA. Posts: 80	Darg thanks for the input . mybe I shoud use 175w se so all my lights are the same?

12/06/2007, 07:36 PM	#7
geiges Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lancaster PA. Posts: 80	what are the advantages of double ended MH vs. single ended bulbs if any ?

12/06/2007, 11:27 PM	#8
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	In good reflectors, either will do the job just as well. The rest of it just fires up a debate that usually gets ugly. 175 in a Lumenarc or Lumenmax would work great.