250W Halides - Will they reach the bottom of a 30" Tall tank?

MeuserReef · 09/09/2007, 04:30 PM

How well will a 250W MH bulb light the bottom on a 30" tall tank?

How far down will I be able to keep SPS? LPS?

I know that the PAR of the various types of 250W bulbs will allow more/less light to the bottom depending on which is used, however, Im just looking for a general "rule of thumb" when using 250's on a 30" tall tank.

Thanks in advance.

azrednex · 09/09/2007, 04:43 PM

I keep most SPS frags and clams happy on the bottom of my 24" tank with 2 X 250w. I would think that you would be able to keep almost anything even on the sandbed. It may not have the best color down there though.

bureau13 · 09/09/2007, 05:40 PM

Yet another reason to have a Deep Sand Bed!

Seriously, I have a 36" deep tank, with a 4-6" sandbed and nothing withers away down there. Some things do color up better up high of course, as has been said. Some bulbs are higher PAR than others, so that can be a factor as well.

jds

MeuserReef · 09/09/2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bureau13
Yet another reason to have a Deep Sand Bed!

Seriously, I have a 36" deep tank, with a 4-6" sandbed and nothing withers away down there. Some things do color up better up high of course, as has been said. Some bulbs are higher PAR than others, so that can be a factor as well.

jds

He he he...

I think I will be OK with the 250W DE bulbs with NO sandbed. Just my taste in reefing. Im actually thinking of getting black starboard instead of white this go-round! (it all becomes purple anyway, right!)

Quote:

Originally posted by azrednex
I keep most SPS frags and clams happy on the bottom of my 24" tank with 2 X 250w. I would think that you would be able to keep almost anything even on the sandbed. It may not have the best color down there though.

Thanks. I think the 250's will be the way to go. Do you run them on a electronic ballast or on a magnetic?

09/09/2007, 04:30 PM	#1
MeuserReef Welcome to the next level Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,412	250W Halides - Will they reach the bottom of a 30" Tall tank? How well will a 250W MH bulb light the bottom on a 30" tall tank? How far down will I be able to keep SPS? LPS? I know that the PAR of the various types of 250W bulbs will allow more/less light to the bottom depending on which is used, however, Im just looking for a general "rule of thumb" when using 250's on a 30" tall tank. Thanks in advance. __________________ "Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic." -Anonymous Current Tank Info: tankless

09/09/2007, 04:43 PM	#2
azrednex Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,805	I keep most SPS frags and clams happy on the bottom of my 24" tank with 2 X 250w. I would think that you would be able to keep almost anything even on the sandbed. It may not have the best color down there though. __________________ <------- Johnathon " Jeder muß an etwas glauben, und ich glaube, ich trinke noch einen."

09/09/2007, 05:40 PM	#3
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	Yet another reason to have a Deep Sand Bed! Seriously, I have a 36" deep tank, with a 4-6" sandbed and nothing withers away down there. Some things do color up better up high of course, as has been said. Some bulbs are higher PAR than others, so that can be a factor as well. jds