175W or 250W MH for my 50G?

[grahxen]

Im going to be probably upgrading one of my tanks, my oceanic 50g, 30x18x21 to MH. I was looking at the DE bulbs but i would more then likely need to redo my canopy for proper installation and cooling for them, since they are in a pendant. I am however considering on buying the Retro Systems from DIYreef.com. Ive read alot of good things about the coralvue ballasts/bulb combo, and at only $179 you really cant beat it. My question is, I am not sure if I should go with the 175W 10k setup or the 250W 10 setup. I dont plan on keeping any SPS, only soft/LPS corals that i curently have. I want to save on some electricity, and also heat as well. So I am wondering if the 175W will be enough light for what i am going to keep. I am also going to be using 2 VHO actinics as well.

Please keep in mind the tank is only 21" deep, and i also have a 3" SB. So its about 18" deep to top of the SB.

Just give me the pros and cons.

Thanks

[GinaSofia]

I say go for the 250..I was accidentally sent 2x250 instead of 2x175 and I'm now glad..can't really get much higher in a 55(4'),unless you wanna go 400w.My electricity bill hasn't budged much and I keep my mh's on for 10 hrs starting later as the season gets warmer to help w/heat issues.I'm also going to use fans before buying a chiller.Also, I have the standard canopy and I'm lucky if there's 5" between lights and water(I do use an arcrylic sheild).

[grahxen]

What does this have to do with the questions I asked? It seems your talking more about your tank then answering my questions.

Thanks

[bamann345]

175s would be just fine. I would get 2 for even coverage of light in the tank. 250s will add more heat in the tank and maybe causing you to get a chiller.... If the tank doesnt have a center brace you might be able to get away with 1 250 watt MH. A center brace with one MH would cast an aweful shadow in your tank.

I have seen the coralvue bulbs are they are wonderful and Justin at dyreef is a great guy!

Hope that helps a litte!

Willia

[grahxen]

The tank is only 30", i dont believe its necessary at all for 2. A MH covers a total of 24x24 100%. Given that thought, i would only have slighly lower light areas on the edges of the tank, and thats a good thing because I can keep lower light corals.

My main concern is is a 175W enough for what i want, or will a 250 be better.

Im asking this only for the extra 50W of electric costs, and heat output. Is it worth it?

[drock59]

you shouldnt get so defensive here people are trying to help and you SHOULD get TWO 250's. Put some fans in your canopy and your heat will be fine as long as the MH are far enough off the water. (mine 6" - 9") You can still keep lower ligh corals, just stick them in a shadd area under some rock. Just make sure you invest in a good setup and you wont regret it.

[grahxen]

I am not being defensive, I just dont know why people reply to my question that has nothing to do with what I asked.

2 250's, for soft corals and some LPS in a 30" long tank. Now ive heard it all.

Ill stick to my other forum for advice on lighting it seems, unless you can justify why i need 2 250w MH in a 30" long tank thats 21" deep.

[drock59]

ever heard of upgradability. If you are like most reef geeks out here you are going to upgrade to a bigger tank sometime in the future. Therefore why would you want to keep buying more and more lighting. Why not get two 250 with a softer kelvin rating, say 14 or 15K, sit back and enjoy the beautiful light while you discuss how smart i was for recomending two, on your "other" forum .

[grahxen]

Ok, so I can enjoy beautiful light that will add alot more heat to my tank and cost more to run for absolutly no reason.

Can someone just answer my original question?

I never said i was upgrading, this is another tank i have in the house. I have no intentions of upgrading this tank whatsoever.

Justify why I need 2 250W MH on a 30" long tank, thats all id like to know.

In my original post I said i wanted to save on electricity and heat. So why woul di put 2 250W MH in my tank?

[drock59]

You wouldnt, but i would.

[GinaSofia]

Originally posted by grahxen
[B My question is, I am not sure if I should go with the 175W 10k setup or the 250W 10 setup..

Thanks [/B]

Sorry,could have sworn I read this as part of your question
As for your rudeness, I'm sure you'll learn through your own life experiences,that is if you have any.

[grahxen]

Im not trying to be rude, but at least try to stay on my topic.

So far none of my questions have been answered comparing a 175W to a 250W at all.

[grahxen]

Originally posted by drock59
You wouldnt, but i would.

Drock, this has nothing to do with what I asked.

[GinaSofia]

yeah, you're right..we're all here at your beck and call to answer your every question precisely..buy a book..you are far too rude for anyone to want to help.

[grahxen]

Umm no, but when i respond to someones question I keep it on topic and answer their question.

But when i get replies like" Get 2 250W MH because thats what i would do because I may upgrade" Is not answering my question. So whats the point of even posting then?

[GinaSofia]

Don't

[bmwardo]

Sheesh Grahxen, the first sentence Katara typed to you answered your question!

[drock59]

you are what is wrong with this site. Rude people suck!

[grahxen]

Originally posted by bmwardo
Sheesh Grahxen, the first sentence Katara typed to you answered your question!

And hows that? She said go for the 250W, thats all. No reason why, or why not to use the 175W's. Thats the question I asked.


My question is really simple. Is the extra heat and electric costs worth it for the 250W compared to the 175W. The tank is 30" long and 21" deep with a 3" Sand Bed. For Soft and LPS corals. Pretty simple question actually.

[GinaSofia]

If you're really that broke then maybe you're in the wrong hobby..LIKE I SAID:
My electricity bill hasn't budged much .

[bmwardo]

Yes it is a simple question and has been answered, so why are you making it so complex? Dahh why do i even care lol, ask on your "other forum" they probably will answer it just the way you want them to. Happy reefin all

[grahxen]

Originally posted by Katara
If you're really that broke then maybe you're in the wrong hobby..LIKE I SAID:
My electricity bill hasn't budged much .

Ok, this is getting out of hand. What does being broke have to do with anything. I already have 3 other tanks besides this one.

Im talking about trying to conserve some more and trying to figure out if its worth it going to a 175W instead of a 250W.

[GinaSofia]

just hang some ge 60 watt bulbs over it.

[grahxen]

Originally posted by bmwardo
Yes it is a simple question and has been answered, so why are you making it so complex? Dahh why do i even care lol, ask on your "other forum" they probably will answer it just the way you want them to. Happy reefin all

That is exactly what I did, and here is one of the answers that I recieved.

"I would go with the 250W because the differences between the 175W as far as electric costs are only a few dollars at the end of the month, and as far as the heat output from the 250 compared to the 175, there isnt much differnce either. Plus with the 250W you will be able to keep some more light demanding corals because of the slightly higher output, and since the light is brighter the edges of your tank will still be bright.

My 2 cents.

Dave"

[bmwardo]

Oh that's what you wanted to know!!! Sorry, I guess having you read that answer in this thread would be just too much work lol. Well all im out like a trout in a drought...