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07-27-2006, 08:56 PM
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#1
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Saint Augustine
Posts: 2,554
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250's vs 400w MH what should I do?
I have been running 3 400w MH 10k's. My tank power bill is 200 a month. I had 3 250w 10k's and have seen no groth differences. The only change is that my chiller runs more and I have a higher power bill. My question is that is there really a difference between 400w and 250 watt running 10ks. I was running 750 watts with the 250s and now 1200 watts with the 400's. I am going back to 250's
My tank is a 210 and all my sps is very close to the waters surface.
Thanks
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07-27-2006, 08:59 PM
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#2
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ONE VERY BIG FISHY
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 699
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Well im sure there is a difference, since the 400w puts out more light, but if you arnt getting a noticeable difference i see no reason to switch back to the 250's but if you notice the growth declining when you do make the swith then the 400's will have to come back. hope this helps...
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 Reef and a Massive FOWLR and a bunch of other tanks ranging from small to huge.
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07-27-2006, 09:22 PM
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#3
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uber-stupid
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Biloxi, MS
Posts: 3,265
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There maybe other limiting factors as to why you have seen no differance in growth. Your calcium might not be available to them, your nitrates might be too high, phosphates might be to high, they may need time to build up the algae to compensate for the higher lighting, particulate matter in the water might be limiting light penetration, ETC...
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07-27-2006, 09:28 PM
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#4
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Saint Augustine
Posts: 2,554
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I agree however... ORP is 450 and the water is very clear. I use a calcium reactor and test weekly. pH is 8.0-8.2 Ca 450 ppm and DKH is around 8-9. Nitrates are undetectable and I use rowa phos monthly. I get growth, lots of it I just get the same under 3 250's as I do under 400's.
also I was told by a coral farmer that as long as I use 10k's I won't see much difference. Its when you get into 20k's that you start to see a drop off. |
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07-27-2006, 09:29 PM
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#5
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uber-stupid
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Biloxi, MS
Posts: 3,265
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How long have you had the 400s?
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07-27-2006, 09:33 PM
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#6
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Saint Augustine
Posts: 2,554
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not very long, thats the problem. Before I added them power bill was 230-260 now its 340
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07-27-2006, 09:38 PM
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#7
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ONE VERY BIG FISHY
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 699
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Well if you havent had them for very long thats probly why your not seeing much difference in growth, but that is a big difference in the power bill, i think this is more up to you then us, since thats you power bill and not ours....but im sure if you give the 400w's a bit longer you will start to notice the difference in growth. just my 2 cents
__________________
Reef and a Massive FOWLR and a bunch of other tanks ranging from small to huge.
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07-27-2006, 09:45 PM
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#8
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Saint Augustine
Posts: 2,554
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thats what I am thinking. I just dont want my acros to loose colors. I know under 175's acros that are brown turn blue under 400's. As I sit here I am thinking about sucking it up and paying a larger bill. Thats just money I could use for tank stuff
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07-27-2006, 09:46 PM
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#9
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,599
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I have a 200 and run 2 250s and 4 vhos ,the 250s should be fine 400 isnt much different I got rid of them along time ago power bill was way to high.
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Double your drive space. Delete Windows
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07-27-2006, 09:48 PM
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#10
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Saint Augustine
Posts: 2,554
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somehow I knew casey would solve my problem.
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07-27-2006, 09:48 PM
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#11
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uber-stupid
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Biloxi, MS
Posts: 3,265
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by PelagicMagic
thats what I am thinking. I just dont want my acros to loose colors. I know under 175's acros that are brown turn blue under 400's. As I sit here I am thinking about sucking it up and paying a larger bill. Thats just money I could use for tank stuff
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I would wait at least 4 month before making a decision about it. You are adding over 40% more light to your tank. Thats a huge differance.
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07-27-2006, 09:49 PM
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#12
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,599
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by PelagicMagic
somehow I knew casey would solve my problem.
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Believe me I have over 30 mh bulbs in all kinds of wattage here i have tried them all.I love my 250s  
__________________
Double your drive space. Delete Windows
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07-27-2006, 09:51 PM
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#13
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Saint Augustine
Posts: 2,554
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plus the corals that need them are at the top of the reef.
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07-27-2006, 09:52 PM
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#14
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NFMAS
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Saint Augustine
Posts: 2,554
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another thing that is I have a few corals that bleach when they are half way up and they are sps
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