150W or 250W for a 120Gallon? No chiller

I ordered the 8 bulb nova T5 setup...its on the way...but im gona return it and get the CurrentUsa MH setup. Not much more in price than the Nova.

I want to get 2 x 150w 14000k

The reason i want to return the T5 setup is that ...i noticed the coral in my smaller tank which has T5's...corals are fading or changing to odd colors...basically losing colors.

The main thing is that i don't want to run a chiller. I know that this is possible with 150w MH...but is it possible with 2 x 250W MH?

 

I would go with the 250w's and just put a fan in the sump.

 

+1 Exactly what I was going to say. The fan on the sump actually works very well as a chiller for me (my heater still has to work part of the time). My sump is in the basement (DT is 1 floor above), though, so that helps as well.

 

The reason i asked about the heat issue is because im gona have a canopy on the tank.

would it still be ok with 250w with a canopy and a fan in the sump

 

Just make sure there is an opening on the canopy that air can get in.

 

In my case, it is ok. (Well was, I'm currently redoing my setup.)

It also depends on how cool you keep the room your DT is in. I keep mine at around 70 (+/- 2) deg F or so year round.

 

My room will never go above 75 and i will have plenty of small fans above/behind the canopy pulling air out from the top and the back + one one the sump
+ I order a reefkeeper 2 controller w/temp probe already. So if the temp goes too high it will shut off the MH's.
I just didnt want to come home one day and find my tank at 90 thats all
I was considering these
if u guys give the ok on the temperature...im gona order right now $589.00 (not bad)
Manufacturer: IceCap
Dimensions: 2 - 11.0" x 9.0" x 4.0" (L x W x H)
Availability: In Stock - Usually ships in 24 hours
Item #: IC7035
Metal halide lighting system complete with two Sunlight Supply Reef Optix 3 Plus HQI Reflectors (250W), two IceCap Electronic MH Ballasts: 1-250W, two Ushio 250W 14000K Double Ended Metal Halide Bulbs, two Sunlight Supply Female Receptacles, and two grounded power-cords. Reef Optix 3 Plus reflectors can easily be installed inside a canopy with a simple, inexpensive L-bracket.

I think i can install this quick with a minimum amount of work




But for all your advice i can't thank you enough.

 

I think your temps will be fine with those fans. And with the controller, you'll have the confidence that your tank won't get too hot anyway.

IceCap Ballasts rule, btw!

 

I've never used them..but people tell me they are the best out there...

Just placed the order at reefgeek

Now i have to return the $450 T5 i bought at MarineDepot.... ;D

Thanks for all your help...You guys are awesome as usual

 

I would go with at least 2X of the 250's. Unless the tank is a long and is under 21" deep, the bottom of your tank will be useless with the 150's