what MH over a 20H?

ziggaboo · 07/17/2007, 09:54 AM

I've heard mixed opinions over what i should go with over a 20H, I was originally planning a 150w HQI retro, but now I'm worried it wont be enough for SPS... reccomendations? input? advice?

RichConley · 07/17/2007, 09:55 AM

150 will be more than enough for any SPS you want to keep.

snulma1 · 07/17/2007, 09:57 AM

I have a 20H and am running a 250w MH with 130 PC over it, and have no problems! During hot weather, I have a small fan over my sump that turns on thru my controller @ 82, and turns off at 79. I've never seen a temp over 82.

ziggaboo · 07/17/2007, 10:47 AM

haha my dilemma exactly... one for each. i know i would have enough if i went with the 250, but dont want to be risking overheating, as there will be no sump. i wont be running actinics either, and plan on either running a 10 or 14k bulb with led's for moonlights. anyone else have any input?

GSMguy · 07/17/2007, 11:15 AM

im setting up a 20h with an aquatinics 24inch tx5 5 bulb unit.

i have a 50g sumpless with 2x250w HQI and my temp stays constant at 76-77.4
using a neptune aquacontroller3 and an azoo 4 fan clip on cooling fan.

aquarius77 · 07/17/2007, 02:26 PM

I run a 150 HQI over my 20 high and im sorry but sps suffered. its not that it was not enough light but the fact that there is only one point of light. With only one bulb you have one hot spot and a bunch of shadows. I would run 2x150 on it and just raise them up to prevent heat transfer.

I converted my 20 over too softies and built a whole system just for my sps because they suffered in the 20 because of the lighting.

ziggaboo · 07/17/2007, 02:30 PM

would it hurt to just put a 250w above it assuming there were no cooling issues? bleaching? there's a $8 difference at hellolights b/w the 150hqi and 250hqi

aquarius77 · 07/17/2007, 02:35 PM

250 or a 150 your still going to have one point of light and shadows all over the place.

121a · 07/17/2007, 03:09 PM

I'm upgrading my 2 70w mh to a 150w so it should be enough.

ziggaboo · 07/17/2007, 03:20 PM

i think i will just go with the 250w hqi, either way it will be mounted in my canopy and be about 9-10" off the surface and with the 250 i'll have a little more oomph

RichConley · 07/17/2007, 03:29 PM

150 would be more than enough. 250 will also be more than enough.

I'm someone who keeps SPS 24" down under 250s, and at 24" deep, still has MORE light than he needs.

07/17/2007, 09:54 AM	#1
ziggaboo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 237	what MH over a 20H? I've heard mixed opinions over what i should go with over a 20H, I was originally planning a 150w HQI retro, but now I'm worried it wont be enough for SPS... reccomendations? input? advice?

07/17/2007, 09:55 AM	#2
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	150 will be more than enough for any SPS you want to keep. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/17/2007, 11:15 AM	#5
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	im setting up a 20h with an aquatinics 24inch tx5 5 bulb unit. i have a 50g sumpless with 2x250w HQI and my temp stays constant at 76-77.4 using a neptune aquacontroller3 and an azoo 4 fan clip on cooling fan. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

07/17/2007, 03:29 PM	#11
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	150 would be more than enough. 250 will also be more than enough. I'm someone who keeps SPS 24" down under 250s, and at 24" deep, still has MORE light than he needs. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

07/17/2007, 09:57 AM	#3
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	I have a 20H and am running a 250w MH with 130 PC over it, and have no problems! During hot weather, I have a small fan over my sump that turns on thru my controller @ 82, and turns off at 79. I've never seen a temp over 82.

07/17/2007, 10:47 AM	#4
ziggaboo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 237	haha my dilemma exactly... one for each. i know i would have enough if i went with the 250, but dont want to be risking overheating, as there will be no sump. i wont be running actinics either, and plan on either running a 10 or 14k bulb with led's for moonlights. anyone else have any input?

07/17/2007, 02:26 PM	#6
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	I run a 150 HQI over my 20 high and im sorry but sps suffered. its not that it was not enough light but the fact that there is only one point of light. With only one bulb you have one hot spot and a bunch of shadows. I would run 2x150 on it and just raise them up to prevent heat transfer. I converted my 20 over too softies and built a whole system just for my sps because they suffered in the 20 because of the lighting.

07/17/2007, 02:30 PM	#7
ziggaboo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 237	would it hurt to just put a 250w above it assuming there were no cooling issues? bleaching? there's a $8 difference at hellolights b/w the 150hqi and 250hqi

07/17/2007, 02:35 PM	#8
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	250 or a 150 your still going to have one point of light and shadows all over the place.

07/17/2007, 03:09 PM	#9
121a Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 803	I'm upgrading my 2 70w mh to a 150w so it should be enough.

07/17/2007, 03:20 PM	#10
ziggaboo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 237	i think i will just go with the 250w hqi, either way it will be mounted in my canopy and be about 9-10" off the surface and with the 250 i'll have a little more oomph