Are 150w hqi enough to have a sps tank?

luk81a · 07/25/2012, 04:15 AM

I currently have 2 x 150w hqi with 2 x 54w t5's. really want to set up a sps tank with the lights I already have.

pkirby · 07/25/2012, 04:31 AM

Yes. Worst case scenario they would need to be in the upper portion of the tank... But 150w hqi will handle sps

Donkeykong · 07/25/2012, 07:45 AM

Need to know the dimensions of the tank to give a more accurate answer, btu yes in general as long as they are correctly sized fr the tank the 150w will be a good SPS grower

luk81a · 07/25/2012, 07:51 AM

Tank is 4 x 2 x 2 and will position the coral and live rock underneath I just have my heart set on sps.

sirreal63 · 07/25/2012, 08:01 AM

Use 10k bulbs and you will be ok. I have used 150's for years and they will do what you want. Bulb, ballast and reflector play a part in the success you will have. 150's and electronic ballasts are not a good thing, they under drive the bulb so you need the strongest bulb you can get, that means 10k's and use the T5's to supplement the color. What fixture is it?

luk81a · 07/26/2012, 06:03 AM

Currently using 20k bulbs. Its an Auqa Medic ocean light plus. I got it as I thought they make quality products.

luk81a · 07/26/2012, 06:06 AM

Could you tell me how to find the posts I have posted? I seen it before but for the life of me cannot find my list of posts

sirreal63 · 07/26/2012, 06:40 AM

Click on your username to the left and then select "find more posts by luk81a"

20k bulbs have a much lower PAR so you will need to keep the SPS higher up in the tank. Some of their fixtures used electronic ballasts which will reduce PAR even more. If the ballast is contained in the fixture it is probably electronic, if it is separate from the fixture in it's own box it should be the M81 which is the correct ballast for the bulb. Aqua Medic makes good fixtures. If you want to use a lower wattage bulb, you should be using a higher PAR bulb to offset the lower wattage.

luk81a · 07/26/2012, 07:52 AM

Ok thanks heaps. Yeah I think the ballast is the correct one as it does have a box attached to the power cable.

07/25/2012, 04:15 AM	#1
luk81a Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Syd, Australia Posts: 73	Are 150w hqi enough to have a sps tank? I currently have 2 x 150w hqi with 2 x 54w t5's. really want to set up a sps tank with the lights I already have.

07/25/2012, 08:01 AM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Use 10k bulbs and you will be ok. I have used 150's for years and they will do what you want. Bulb, ballast and reflector play a part in the success you will have. 150's and electronic ballasts are not a good thing, they under drive the bulb so you need the strongest bulb you can get, that means 10k's and use the T5's to supplement the color. What fixture is it? __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

07/26/2012, 06:40 AM	#8
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Click on your username to the left and then select "find more posts by luk81a" 20k bulbs have a much lower PAR so you will need to keep the SPS higher up in the tank. Some of their fixtures used electronic ballasts which will reduce PAR even more. If the ballast is contained in the fixture it is probably electronic, if it is separate from the fixture in it's own box it should be the M81 which is the correct ballast for the bulb. Aqua Medic makes good fixtures. If you want to use a lower wattage bulb, you should be using a higher PAR bulb to offset the lower wattage. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

07/25/2012, 04:31 AM	#2
pkirby Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 408	Yes. Worst case scenario they would need to be in the upper portion of the tank... But 150w hqi will handle sps

07/25/2012, 07:45 AM	#3
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	Need to know the dimensions of the tank to give a more accurate answer, btu yes in general as long as they are correctly sized fr the tank the 150w will be a good SPS grower

07/25/2012, 07:51 AM	#4
luk81a Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Syd, Australia Posts: 73	Tank is 4 x 2 x 2 and will position the coral and live rock underneath I just have my heart set on sps.

07/26/2012, 06:03 AM	#6
luk81a Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Syd, Australia Posts: 73	Currently using 20k bulbs. Its an Auqa Medic ocean light plus. I got it as I thought they make quality products.

07/26/2012, 06:06 AM	#7
luk81a Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Syd, Australia Posts: 73	Could you tell me how to find the posts I have posted? I seen it before but for the life of me cannot find my list of posts

07/26/2012, 07:52 AM	#9
luk81a Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Syd, Australia Posts: 73	Ok thanks heaps. Yeah I think the ballast is the correct one as it does have a box attached to the power cable.