How many MH

inthesea · 03/18/2009, 06:44 PM

My Tank Dinensions are 6ft long 2 ft wide and 2 1/2 ft tall. Will 3 250 w MH be ok for this dinension, or do I need to go with 2 400 watt MH's. ALso for actinic which would be better, T5 or VHO?

This is going to be a SPS dominated tank.

Any Help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

cward · 03/18/2009, 06:52 PM

You really wont get the spread you need with only two bulbs, even using Luminarc III reflectors. You could try placing your SPS up higher on the rockwork, and adding LPS lower near the bottom. I've always thought VHO actinics looked better, but I know there has been big improvements with T5's.

inthesea · 03/18/2009, 06:54 PM

I was thinking about 3 250's? DO you guys think will this work

cward · 03/18/2009, 07:11 PM

Yes, I do. I've always used 400's, but I think if the SPS is placed mid to high in your tank, they will get plenty of light.

grigsy · 03/18/2009, 07:35 PM

3 x 250 watt halides would be a great choice. Also, I would go with VHO as opposed to T5 as a supplimental actinic light.

VHO actinics are a much nicer color versus T5 actinics.

URI makes a good actinic VHO bulb.

03/18/2009, 06:44 PM	#1
inthesea Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 389	How many MH My Tank Dinensions are 6ft long 2 ft wide and 2 1/2 ft tall. Will 3 250 w MH be ok for this dinension, or do I need to go with 2 400 watt MH's. ALso for actinic which would be better, T5 or VHO? This is going to be a SPS dominated tank. Any Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

03/18/2009, 06:52 PM	#2
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	You really wont get the spread you need with only two bulbs, even using Luminarc III reflectors. You could try placing your SPS up higher on the rockwork, and adding LPS lower near the bottom. I've always thought VHO actinics looked better, but I know there has been big improvements with T5's. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

03/18/2009, 07:11 PM	#4
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	Yes, I do. I've always used 400's, but I think if the SPS is placed mid to high in your tank, they will get plenty of light. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

03/18/2009, 06:54 PM	#3
inthesea Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 389	I was thinking about 3 250's? DO you guys think will this work

03/18/2009, 07:35 PM	#5
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	3 x 250 watt halides would be a great choice. Also, I would go with VHO as opposed to T5 as a supplimental actinic light. VHO actinics are a much nicer color versus T5 actinics. URI makes a good actinic VHO bulb.