Upgrading Fixture AGAIN!!! First MH fixture!!

So unfortunately my dual T5 AquaticLife fixture just isn't doing it for my Acros. Even with the 3 LED strips. They are browning out pretty fierce So, I have found a Current USA SunPod MH 250w 24" fixture. Comes with a 14K bulb and a replacment 14K bulb. I may even change the bulb to a 20K because that fixture will be putting out A LOT of light for a 10gal. So putting a 20K bulb hopefully won't be so intense for my softies and LPS than a 14K bulb is. The guy is selling it to me for $200 delivered from an hour away. Will this be overkill for my tank? It is also coming with a hanging kit and adjustable legs, but I think I better hang it so the light doesn't kill anything. You guys think I should hang it higher or it sitting on its legs on the tank ok? I will obviously be acclimating. 250w MH is a big jump from T5's. Do I have the right approch to this? This will be my very first MH fixture. I haven't got the fixture yet... We are making plans for tomorrow.

 

Wow! 250watts of halide is a iot of light for a 10 gal.If it were my tank I think I would try to find a good 4bulb t5.If you really want halide it might be better to try and find a 150watt unit.Hanging it would probably be best as it would help with acclimation and also reduce the amount of heat transfer to the tank.

 

For another option I would look at the Rapid LED kit. For $200 you could get plenty for a 10g. I have a rapid kit on each of my cubes and love both of them.

 

Yea. That's why I figured hanging it would be best too. I only have a $200 limit and all 4 bulb T5 fixtures I have seen in store or on Canadian online sites are well over $200 The 150w MH fixtures are all over my price range aswell unfortunately.
How high above the tank should I hang the 250w MH do you think?
In time I think I may actually upgrade the tank to a 20gal when money isn't so much of an issue (probably in the fall).

 

Yeah, Going on their kits for the biocube 14. You could get a lot.
Retrofit kits - Nano Kits - BioCube 14 - Rapid LED

IMHO even a 150w is excessive for a 10g.

 

250w on a 10g, You'll need to hang it about 1- 2 foot above your tank and move all your acros to the sand bed. That light may bleach your corals being too much in a small tank.

I use a 250w mh and my tank is 21" tall and it gets great par on the sand bed, SO id be worried in a 10gl

 

Yea. I am worried about bleaching too. I was going to put a glass lid half way across the top too, to help with filtering teh intensity, but a 250w MH will probably just penatrate right through that lol. I'm really interested in the LED Retro Kits.... I just dunno how about doing it, putting it together. I was also going to sell my current T5 fixture too, so I don't have anything to install the LED kit to? I don't think it will install into my T5 fixture anyway.

 

I literally put my biocube14 retrofit kit together for $200 and that was with the plug n play kit and a controller. It took me about an hour and 1/2 to do the wiring. The only wiring you have to do with the plug n play kit is running a wire from the lights to driver, then driver to controller. Its simple splicing and connecting with butt connectors.

 

Ok, so I found this 12" Vertex Illumilux LED fixture for $175. This is at Blue World Aquariums, which is in my city like a 15min drive away. Is this a good fixture? Could it support high light demanding SPS corals you think? I will be calling the store when it opens in a few hours to talk to them. They are an awesome store. Very honest and friendly... I know they will tell me if they think it's right or not.

Vertex Illumilux LED Lights | Blue World Aquariums

 

IMHO, that will be more than enough but not overkill like the 250 MH. No disrespect, its only a 10 gallon.