MH wattages

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by gkw, May 12, 2006.

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  1. gkw

    gkw Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    403
    Ok ok, I have my final decision on lighting...MH! Now, I was wondering what I can keep under a 150w SE MH, 175w SE MH, and 250w SE MH?

    I will have mostly soft corals and LPS, and maybe a few SPS and one gigas duresa (sp?) clam. Can I get away with 150w?

    Thanks!
    GKW
     
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  3. blue_eyes53813

    blue_eyes53813 Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2004
    Messages:
    106
    Location:
    Lancaster, WI,Wisconsin
    Well this is kinda my rule of thumb.. I remember reading it somewhere but cant remember where, but all low light needing corals like mushrooms need around 3-5 watts of light, middle range light corals like lps need 5-7 and most sps, anemones, light lovers need 7 and up..

    For my old 125 gallon I had (3 ) 250 watts 10K and 2 96 watt actinics. I could keep almost all corals , Low lights corals go lower in the tank and all high light go higher... I think 250 watts is what you need. ( but your gonna need more than 1 lol ) 175 watt might still be to low of wattage for that size tank and 400 watts will be over kill.. Good luck