lighting upgrade need opinions

[evojoe67]

just upgraded the lighting on my 250gal.

i've now got 3-250w metal halides. 2 are 12or 13 k, one is 15k.

also have2 96w actinics. one is blue, one white. needed a new bulb for one, and was given a blue one. any benifit to either?

the side with the blue one is brighter, but not sure if this is because it's new, or blue?

these lights were purchased used, and included a pacific coast imports cl600 chiller. price for everything was $900.00

i was thinking of leaving the contrasting light, between the 2 colors, from one side of the tank to the other. looks pretty cool how it transitions.

with this set up, i should be able to keep any types of corals, no?

just wanted to know if you guys thought this was enough light. some of you suggested 400w metal halides, as opposed to the 250's. thought the price was to good to pass up, though.

[bmshehan]

All I can help ya with is the actinics, I personally would go with all blue actinics, I have 2 URI super actinic pure blue bulbs in mine. The MH will give plenty of white light. As far as if the MH will be enough, I've heard 400 for that size of tank, but I would assume you would be fine for most corals. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in. It also depends on how deep your tank is, that info would be very helpful.

[wildreef]

Well i have a 220 gal. ad tripple 400 MH is what i run cause of the depth of the tank,
I would say your going to need more light. imo

[evojoe67]

tanks 25.5" deep.

my buddy had them on his tank, same depth, and he had both hard, and soft corals, with beautiful results.

also, i read an article in amagazine, that states, if you want to know if you have enough light for hard corals, add up your total wattage and divide by gallons. the result should be somewhere between 3 and 4.

me -942watts/210gallons=4.485. well, i'm not between 3/4, so what does that mean? since i'm over 4, i would assume it's good.

[evojoe67]

Originally Posted by bmshehan

All I can help ya with is the actinics, I personally would go with all blue actinics, I have 2 URI super actinic pure blue bulbs in mine. The MH will give plenty of white light. As far as if the MH will be enough, I've heard 400 for that size of tank, but I would assume you would be fine for most corals. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in. It also depends on how deep your tank is, that info would be very helpful.

funny thing is, i kinda like the look of the white light area of the tank. i'm running 460nm, which i heard is just blue light, when 420nm is true actinic.

would you know anything in regards to that?