400w too much

Cstrege33 · 05/18/2018, 07:14 PM

Hey guys just getting back into reading, just recently set up my 24x24x18 rimless. Just about time to add some lights. My question is Wil a 400w radium be too much for predominantly sps? Not too worried about heat issues my house runs pretty cool eveb in symer time.I planned on running a 250w but went to rig up my 250 and the ballast is burned out. I already have the 400w setup and new radium bulbs leftover from my old 120. The 400w is a dimmable ballast btw.

slief · 05/18/2018, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cstrege33

Hey guys just getting back into reading, just recently set up my 24x24x18 rimless. Just about time to add some lights. My question is Wil a 400w radium be too much for predominantly sps? Not too worried about heat issues my house runs pretty cool eveb in symer time.I planned on running a 250w but went to rig up my 250 and the ballast is burned out. I already have the 400w setup and new radium bulbs leftover from my old 120. The 400w is a dimmable ballast btw.

Unless you keep your house at 40 degrees F, you should be concerned with the temp. A 400w halide over a 44 gallon tank is going to pose a heat issue. Especially when you add in heat transfer from pumps. You’re most certainly going to need a chiller. As for whether it will work, sure but it’s an awaful lot of light for such a small display and there is going to be a lot of wasted light bleeding out beyond the tank. That and you will likely need to raise it up pretty far from the water as your tank is small and relatively shallow for such a powerful fixture.

Joe0813 · 05/18/2018, 08:02 PM

Even my 250 hqi over my tank 10 inches off the water is bleaching some SPS

mcgyvr · 05/19/2018, 11:08 AM

A 150W MH setup would be just fine for that size..

kevin_e · 05/19/2018, 06:03 PM

I ran a 150 watt with 4x T5s over my 24x24x20 and my PAR ran about 120 for most of my coral.

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kevin_e · 05/19/2018, 06:07 PM

A 400 isn't too much, but it is without a doubt overkill. I have a 400 over my 24x24x20 50g right now. I put it up 3-4 weeks ago and am slowing adding an hour to the light cycle each week. I'm at 5.5 hours now and plan to raise to 8 hours daily. I use one of those 5-fan aquarium fans and my tank temp raises between 1.5-2 degrees during my light cycle. I have the light about 15" up.

Tank temp is abosultely not a problem for me with the fan. I live in Florida and my tank is in a solarium by a window/exterior wall.

I would suggest a 250, personally. I went with the 400 because I already had it in my closet.

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Cstrege33 · 05/19/2018, 09:24 PM

Exactly why I was thinking of going with the 400, I already have 2 sitting around. Was planning on 250 but when I went to hook up my 250 setup tthe ballast no longer works after sitting in storage 4 years. I guess I could go ahead and blow another $120-160 on a 250 ballast.

kevin_e · 05/19/2018, 09:27 PM

Worth a shot then. Acclimate slowly and watch temperature. I would buy a fan, worth the $25. I only have it running when the lights are on, and for 1.5 after they turn off.

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slief · 05/19/2018, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cstrege33

Exactly why I was thinking of going with the 400, I already have 2 sitting around. Was planning on 250 but when I went to hook up my 250 setup tthe ballast no longer works after sitting in storage 4 years. I guess I could go ahead and blow another $120-160 on a 250 ballast.

Take the cover off the ballast and check the start capacitor. That’s usually what fails and it’s a cheap (couple dollar) part. You’d be much better off using a lower power fixture. I ran 400 watt halides for about 20 years and can tell you that’s it’s not only a waste of power but they’d also be counter productive on your size tank. Fix your ballast or get a new one that is smaller. If it were me and halides were my choice, I’d go with a 175 over a tank your size. Anything larger is a waste IMO.

kevin_e · 05/19/2018, 10:44 PM

I think 250 watts will do better for SPS, imo. 175 watt will probably produce par anywhere from 125-200, unless it right on the water.

I ran a 250 on a 20 gallon 5-6 years back and that tank was rocking.

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slief · 05/19/2018, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_e

I think 250 watts will do better for SPS, imo. 175 watt will probably produce par anywhere from 125-200, unless it right on the water.

I ran a 250 on a 20 gallon 5-6 years back and that tank was rocking.

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It just depends on the height that you run them at and the refelector. A good reflector 10-12” off the water would do wonders with a 175 and if you wanted more PAR, a bit lower would raise it significantly. PAR isn’t everything. A good bulb would be key though. Either way, 400 watts on a tank that size is ridiculous IMO and that was my biggest point.

kevin_e · 05/20/2018, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

It just depends on the height that you run them at and the refelector. A good reflector 10-12” off the water would do wonders with a 175 and if you wanted more PAR, a bit lower would raise it significantly. PAR isn’t everything. A good bulb would be key though. Either way, 400 watts on a tank that size is ridiculous IMO and that was my biggest point.

While PAR isn't everything it is very important. I found my corals were very unhealthy from the lower PAR.

I can't argue with you on the 400. But like me, he has the setup ready to go with no added expenses. As long as temp isn't an issue and the tank is acclimated, the 400 will be okay and with everything else stable, promote a thriving SPS tank.

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lpsouth1978 · 05/21/2018, 09:34 PM

My most successful tank to date was a 34g Solana all in one. I had a 400w HQI in a Hamilton Cayman sun pendant hung about 13" above the tank. I had no chiller and the tank would grow ANY coral with vigor. Done properly, 400w is fine for that size tank.

Cstrege33 · 05/22/2018, 01:22 AM

I'm gonna stick with the 400w for now since I already have a couple new 400 radium bulbs and ballast laying around from my old 375 The 400w is dimmable and can run from 75%-%110 and I do love the super blue spectrum the radium puts off when dimmed. Maybe if I come across a cheap 250 I'll switch it out....

05/18/2018, 07:14 PM	#1
Cstrege33 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 3	400w too much Hey guys just getting back into reading, just recently set up my 24x24x18 rimless. Just about time to add some lights. My question is Wil a 400w radium be too much for predominantly sps? Not too worried about heat issues my house runs pretty cool eveb in symer time.I planned on running a 250w but went to rig up my 250 and the ballast is burned out. I already have the 400w setup and new radium bulbs leftover from my old 120. The 400w is a dimmable ballast btw.

05/18/2018, 08:02 PM	#3
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	Even my 250 hqi over my tank 10 inches off the water is bleaching some SPS __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

05/19/2018, 11:08 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	A 150W MH setup would be just fine for that size.. __________________ Who me?

05/21/2018, 09:34 PM	#13
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	My most successful tank to date was a 34g Solana all in one. I had a 400w HQI in a Hamilton Cayman sun pendant hung about 13" above the tank. I had no chiller and the tank would grow ANY coral with vigor. Done properly, 400w is fine for that size tank. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

05/19/2018, 06:03 PM	#5
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	I ran a 150 watt with 4x T5s over my 24x24x20 and my PAR ran about 120 for most of my coral. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

05/19/2018, 06:07 PM	#6
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	A 400 isn't too much, but it is without a doubt overkill. I have a 400 over my 24x24x20 50g right now. I put it up 3-4 weeks ago and am slowing adding an hour to the light cycle each week. I'm at 5.5 hours now and plan to raise to 8 hours daily. I use one of those 5-fan aquarium fans and my tank temp raises between 1.5-2 degrees during my light cycle. I have the light about 15" up. Tank temp is abosultely not a problem for me with the fan. I live in Florida and my tank is in a solarium by a window/exterior wall. I would suggest a 250, personally. I went with the 400 because I already had it in my closet. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

05/19/2018, 09:24 PM	#7
Cstrege33 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 3	Exactly why I was thinking of going with the 400, I already have 2 sitting around. Was planning on 250 but when I went to hook up my 250 setup tthe ballast no longer works after sitting in storage 4 years. I guess I could go ahead and blow another $120-160 on a 250 ballast.

05/19/2018, 09:27 PM	#8
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	Worth a shot then. Acclimate slowly and watch temperature. I would buy a fan, worth the $25. I only have it running when the lights are on, and for 1.5 after they turn off. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

05/19/2018, 10:44 PM	#10
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	I think 250 watts will do better for SPS, imo. 175 watt will probably produce par anywhere from 125-200, unless it right on the water. I ran a 250 on a 20 gallon 5-6 years back and that tank was rocking. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

05/22/2018, 01:22 AM	#14
Cstrege33 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 3	I'm gonna stick with the 400w for now since I already have a couple new 400 radium bulbs and ballast laying around from my old 375 The 400w is dimmable and can run from 75%-%110 and I do love the super blue spectrum the radium puts off when dimmed. Maybe if I come across a cheap 250 I'll switch it out....