400w or 250w MH for 33g

[Kratos]

Well I'm setting up 30g reef, slowly making my way to a nano reef, but I'm not used to tanks this small. Would a single 400w MH be too much for it? I know more light is better but the tank is only 18" high so could it be too much and 'burn' the softies?

[stelow]

Welcome to RC, Kratos. Yes a 400w would be to much for a 30g only 18 inches high. steve

[Pistonkev]

IMO a 175 would be perfect.

[Melbourne]

Hi,

I had a 400W SE 20k over a 29g tank for a few months. Since I was using it as a propagation tank - it was ok, it put out way too much heat, better off with a 250 SE / DE.

-Mike

BTW: I had no issue with keeping softies under the 400w, everything did well, light kept about 16" from water surface.

[joeychitwood]

It depends on what creatures you are going to keep. For all but the most demanding corals, a 175 would probably work well. You can't go wrong with a 250, but I agree that a 400 would be too hot and too bright.

[Larry Waughon]

I have seen 400's over a 20 gal so it can be done, but a 250 would be more than enough.

[Conano]

I have a 29 gallon and use a 10000k 250watt MH and 65 watt Superactinic VHO on mine. Bought a Fox coral and needless to say he doesnt like it much at all, although my leaver fox coral does.