Lighting upgrade question

I am currently running a Coralife Aqualight Pro HQI 72" lighting system with 3x150W MH, 4x96 actinics and 3 moonlights in a 125 gallon All-Glass Megaflow aquarium (72x18x22). I am running this system as a reef since June of '06 but have only tried leathers and soft corals up to this point. I am going to be trying my hand at some LPS and or SPS pieces now.

I went with the 3x150w system as opposed to the 3x250w system because I was concerned about the heat at the time as I couldn't afford a chiller...the chiller is on the way and I need to replace my MH's anyways.

So I guess my question is should I spend the extra money to get new ballasts for my system and upgrade to the 250W MH's? If yes, then is there anything else I would need to replace in the fixture itself aside from just the ballasts and bulbs?

Thanks in advance for your time and responses!

 

I think you would be successful caring for LPS and SPS corals with the amount of lighting you have now. It wouldn't hurt upgrading though.

I hope you are aware of the change in your parameters when you start adding LPS and SPS corals. They will consume much more Cal and Alk the softies. When you start adding corals, make sure you do parameter checks often, and have your supplements ready.. I made this mistake, and actually lead to some losses.

 

That lighting should be more than good, especially on a tank that isnt as deep.
I know people that grow SPS under t5's solely, just need them higher up in the tank.
Nice fixture, nice tank size, glad to read this as I am shopping for lighting for my same size tank.

 

I don't have anything in there yet...I am planning on adding my first 2 small frags on Saturday. I just did a larger than normal water change of approx 30% thhis past weekend and will do a 10% change before adding the pieces.

I have heard conflicting opinions about supplementing...some people saying it isn't needed as long as you are changing 10 ish % of your water weekly...some people saying you must supplement. I have the tests and will keep an eye on it. That being said, what is your opinion?

 

I didnt do regular water changes on the 37.. on the 125 I probably wont do it unless anything goes wrong.. I will test and then supplement what is needed as I plan on keeping quite a bit of corals myself. I dont think I am going to mess with sps too much though I am more of a softie fan.

 

Yeah...I like a lot of the softies too...but some of mine have grown out of control. I am just now getting into fragging and will prbly end up w 30+ frags (if not more) from just one of my toadstools.

 

Even if the parameters drop or not I would still be ready with tests and supplements ready to go. I'm just speaking from the experience I had. I added 4 SPS frags to my 24 gallon Aquapod at the same time. That was the first mistake I did. Lucky, you have a bigger tank. I would add few corals at a time maybe 2 or more weeks apart. If I had added the SPS slower I might have been able to notice the change in my parameters. I also would have never thought they would consume like they did. I didn't even know anything was wrong until it was too late. Just make sure you read up on the corals you buy and keep a close eye on them... Good luck.

 

SPS just about on the sand 24" down, T5 only,
WHEN WILL THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF T5 END?!

 

In my tank that is still an infant I am ALREADY using a cup a day of two part to keep my levels up, you will be surprised how much Ca and alk they can consume, even 10% WCs daily wouldn't be able to keep my levels up.

 

I'm no expert, but I don't see the need for you to jump into 250w. I have a 90g with the Pro fixture. 2x96 and 2x150. You have 6.8 w/g and I have 5,5 w/g. Not that that is a great measurement, but it is a good amount of light. I have mainly LPS.

I did upgrade to 250w. It is all the light I will need. You could still get a dual ballast and just do 2 lights at 250. ReefSparky did a write up. I t would not be any different for you. I would say you could wait. But read the write up. It is not too hard.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/upgrading-coralife-aqualight-pro-2x150-halide-62957.html