Which lighting, 250w or 400w?

[Mikalada]

[size=3]I am in the planning stages of my next reef tank. It is most likely going to be a 60-gallon cube tank (25”X25”X24-7/8”high), I plan to make it a SPS dominant bare bottom tank along with keeping my current bubble tip anenome.

I wanted to know whether you thought 250watt or 400watt is what is needed. I have been told that 250 is enough, too much, and not nearly enough by multiple people. More than one person told me to hang as much light over the tank that I can. Another person told me that I only need 400watts if I intend to go to a 20000K bulb. I just don’t know what to do at this point. I plan to use a Lumenarc L3 Mini Reflector, Coralvue ballast, and a Reeflux 12000K SE bulb.

Help pleese.

[Wiskey]

Especially since your using a very efficeant reflector, and your going BB I would definitally go 250W, it will be more than enough IMHO.

Whiskey

[holyscoly]

i agree unless you wana keep some high light acros then i would go with the 400

[Hop]

250 for that tank. I can't see any reason to run the heat of a 400 watter, when the proper 250 will let you keep anything you want

[Geoff]

400w would only be usefull on a DSB tank. on a BB tank the 250w would be fine.

G~

[Mikalada]

Thanks for the replies, I will start ordering the 250watt setup.

[Loverotties]

Yep 250,hope to see some pics!

[marineduud]

Here are a few links to some local reefers that use 400wt with lumanarc3's and 20k bulbs on 24in tanks and have DSB's and great growth rates. Just thought you could take a look. I am one of those that swear by 400s on any thing 24in and over for acros.

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...t=74621&page=9

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72428

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by marineduud

Here are a few links to some local reefers that use 400wt with lumanarc3's and 20k bulbs on 24in tanks and have DSB's and great growth rates. Just thought you could take a look. I am one of those that swear by 400s on any thing 24in and over for acros.

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...t=74621&page=9

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72428

that is why i said if you were going to have a DSB you would need the 400w bulbs to fight the excess phosphates in the coral tissue in order to get the growth and the colour out of the corals. if you did not have the DSB then you would be getting the same growth and colour out of the corals with a lot less light. the more phosphates you have i the tank the more wattage you need in order to keep the tank looking good.

G~