1X250 or 2X150

Cbravo212 · 05/11/2009, 12:05 PM

For a 38g tank that is 36X12X20, would you go with a single 250 watt MH or two 150 watt MHs? I plan to use a retro kit and put it under a canopy with plenty of cooling fans. Currently running one 175W.

I have read a lot about the MH bulbs being pretty direct light and was wondering if two bulbs are better than one. I know two would give me about 50 more watts, but is the added heat worth it.

Thanks.

THE ROOK · 05/11/2009, 01:42 PM

If you have a center brace the single light would be right over it. Two would be much better than one in this case. Usually a single is good for 24" of tank length.

I've owned a couple of MH fixtures including my newest with (2) 250's & (4) T-5's.

If I were to do it again, I'd definitely just run a T-5 fixture. In your case six T-5's with single lamp reflectors (SLR's) would work great due to the depth of your tank. You only be using 234 watts with actnics. My light pushes 700 watts due to having to use separate actnics.

05/11/2009, 12:05 PM	#1
Cbravo212 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tidewater Area, VA Posts: 264	1X250 or 2X150 For a 38g tank that is 36X12X20, would you go with a single 250 watt MH or two 150 watt MHs? I plan to use a retro kit and put it under a canopy with plenty of cooling fans. Currently running one 175W. I have read a lot about the MH bulbs being pretty direct light and was wondering if two bulbs are better than one. I know two would give me about 50 more watts, but is the added heat worth it. Thanks. __________________ -- Mike "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." - General George Patton Jr Current Tank Info: 38gal, 10 gal sump, 4 gal refugium

05/11/2009, 01:42 PM	#2
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	If you have a center brace the single light would be right over it. Two would be much better than one in this case. Usually a single is good for 24" of tank length. I've owned a couple of MH fixtures including my newest with (2) 250's & (4) T-5's. If I were to do it again, I'd definitely just run a T-5 fixture. In your case six T-5's with single lamp reflectors (SLR's) would work great due to the depth of your tank. You only be using 234 watts with actnics. My light pushes 700 watts due to having to use separate actnics.