250 watt mh

[dvlax40]

is this too much for a 17 gallon display ???

[KRASHPD]

It is a bit much. A 150w would be more than enough and for a tank that small, T5s would keep the heat down and feed the corals plenty of light.

[dvlax40]

really? even with it 6 -12 in off th water?

[oct2274]

way over kill, don't waste electricity and raise it farther off the water....all you'll be doing is lighting up the room it is in and adding heat. 150 could even be called overkill depending on the distance to the waters surface and the bulb used. with a 150 you would easily be able to keep any sps and clams on the bottom of the tank.

[dvlax40]

can i put a 150 bulb in my 250 light? damn i Already bought it, buti got such a smokin deal.... any one wnna buy a 250watt hqi electronic ballast, reflector and 3month old 14000k light? or trade for a 150?

[oct2274]

you can make the 250 work if you already have it, just make sure you run a lower output bulb like a 20k bulb and if it is still frying stuff you can always put some egg crate over the tank, that will really knock the par down

[SHARKBAITNC]

I have a 250 wt 10k Mh over my 10 gal prop tank the bulb is 6 inches above the water with a spider reflector never had any problems things actually grow very fast

Nick

[30reef]

Unless you run a fan or chiller, heat will be an issue. I use a 250 on my tank and it heats up fast in the warmer months.

oct2274 had a good point about lighting up the room if moved higher. I had to actually lower my light closer to avoid being blinded every time I entered the room. Now it heats up even faster.

But to answer your question IMO, 250 would be ok for your tank providing you can keep the other params in order. 150 or 175 might be better choice though.

[SHARKBAITNC]

Originally posted by 30reef
Unless you run a fan or chiller, heat will be an issue. I use a 250 on my tank and it heats up fast in the warmer months.

oct2274 had a good point about lighting up the room if moved higher. I had to actually lower my light closer to avoid being blinded every time I entered the room. Now it heats up even faster.

But to answer your question IMO, 250 would be ok for your tank providing you can keep the other params in order. 150 or 175 might be better choice though.

I agree I run mine on a reverse light cycle for temp reasons, but it is also plumbed into my 150 gal system for stability.

Nick

[dvlax40]

ok well for the winter, do you think it will be ok? ill have a chiller before summer, im gonna get a 1 hp one

[widefx]

WOW a 1 hp chiller on a 17g tank. Are you sure?

[dvlax40]

im going to set it up on a cold water tank and plumb my 17g into it aswell

[Wiskey]

How do you plan to keep both tanks at different temps?

Whiskey

[dvlax40]

havent thought that one through, i guess ill have the coldwater at 55, and then build some sort of heatng mechanism for my sump to heat it up to 78 before it enters the tank of my not cold water

[30reef]

Where u gonna get temperate species? Catalina? Most are protected in SoCal waters. Just a thought before investing in cold water system. What r u gonna do to keep at 55 when power goes out? Again, just a thought.

[dvlax40]

im moving to socal in may, im also studying marine biology and i get to collect specimines for study, only catch have to let them go after awhile