how tall should a tank be with250MH?

nashorn · 01/12/2007, 06:44 PM

I'm thinking of getting a new tank but with 2 -250MH what is the max height of a tank?

JokerGirl · 01/12/2007, 07:22 PM

I think it's something like if your tank is more thank 24" tall then you can go with 250s.

herefishyfishy2 · 01/12/2007, 07:42 PM

I can tell you that 250 watt DE bulbs seem to be just too much for my 75 gal. I bought them with an upgrade in mind so its OK....but running them anymore than 2-3 hours per day results in severe bleaching. My fixture is 14" off the water too.

timespinner · 01/12/2007, 07:49 PM

It depends on how far the lights are above the water, the manufacturer of the lights/ballast, and what you keep. If you are moving your existing corals, any changes in their distance underneath the light could affect them (positively or negatively).

Just for efficiency reasons, I personally would not buy a tank that exceeded 24" in height and would rather opt for more depth or width.

bluewhale · 01/13/2007, 02:34 AM

Agree with timespinner. I once had a tank that was too deep to reach the bottom with my arm. Maintenance is a lot easier when you can reach everything.

quack · 01/13/2007, 07:36 AM

28" or so for 250 watts, 32" or more for 400 watts. DE metalhalides are intense too!

frederickk · 01/13/2007, 10:20 AM

At least 24''

Navyblue · 01/13/2007, 11:13 AM

24" or so if you are keeping SPS.
1/2" or so if you are cooking eggs.

01/12/2007, 06:44 PM	#1
nashorn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,693	how tall should a tank be with250MH? I'm thinking of getting a new tank but with 2 -250MH what is the max height of a tank?

01/12/2007, 07:22 PM	#2
JokerGirl Whistler's Mother Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: That place Posts: 1,345	I think it's something like if your tank is more thank 24" tall then you can go with 250s. __________________ 01000001 01101110 01111001 01101111 01101110 01100101 00111111 Current Tank Info: 120g Reef Tank, 60g Cube Mantis/Reef Tank, Want more info, ask me.

01/12/2007, 07:42 PM	#3
herefishyfishy2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Centennial, Colorado Posts: 634	I can tell you that 250 watt DE bulbs seem to be just too much for my 75 gal. I bought them with an upgrade in mind so its OK....but running them anymore than 2-3 hours per day results in severe bleaching. My fixture is 14" off the water too. __________________ Lynn & Cathy Current Tank Info: 75galRR acrylic, 650 watts of 14K Phoenix Metal Halide, DSB, 120 lbs of LR, Ozone, 2 Seio 1100s, LifeReef skimmer

01/12/2007, 07:49 PM	#4
timespinner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Coast, CA Posts: 123	It depends on how far the lights are above the water, the manufacturer of the lights/ballast, and what you keep. If you are moving your existing corals, any changes in their distance underneath the light could affect them (positively or negatively). Just for efficiency reasons, I personally would not buy a tank that exceeded 24" in height and would rather opt for more depth or width.

01/13/2007, 02:34 AM	#5
bluewhale Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 19	Agree with timespinner. I once had a tank that was too deep to reach the bottom with my arm. Maintenance is a lot easier when you can reach everything.

01/13/2007, 07:36 AM	#6
quack Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: pensacola, florida Posts: 217	28" or so for 250 watts, 32" or more for 400 watts. DE metalhalides are intense too!

01/13/2007, 10:20 AM	#7
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	At least 24''

01/13/2007, 11:13 AM	#8
Navyblue Low maintenance first Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,790	24" or so if you are keeping SPS. 1/2" or so if you are cooking eggs.