changing wattage

i have a 72" double-outer orbit lighting system. this contains 3x150w mh (metal hides)and 4 96w 420/460 and 8 lunar lights. i want to start a sps/lps reef tank, but im told i have insufficient lighting. can i replace my 3x150w mh with 3x250w mh? if someone out there knows...please let me know....thanks!

 

Ok what size tank do you have ..?? and how deep is your tank..

 

i have a 265gal tank. the dimensions are 7' long, 24" wide and 30" deep.

 

One thing you can do off hand is not change your light but purchase your Sps that you want and place them hight on the rock to get the light they need... If You open the Pic i have in my post thats my 70 gal tank it also is 30inch deep and had 2x 150mh 20k xm Bulbs.. I had no problem with Sps or Lps..

But if you wanna upgrade just to upgrade i would have to research you light hood more. You can upgrade to 250watt MH bulbs just hafta get new bulbs and ballast and keep the same hood system.

I am sure also theres a extra helpin hand where i had left off...

Good Luck...!!

 

With that depth, you might be able to get away with 3 x 250 watt HQI (double-ended MH) or definitely with 3 x 400 watt MH (single ended, mogul style lamps).

 

Their are many species of stony coral that will survive and be maintained under your lighting scheme! If you have the moey and want to upgrade, that is fine but you don't have to becuase the pet shop said you had to.
Lighting represents just one part of the equation!!!!!!! water quality, clarity, water flow, placement of corals in the tank and other factors need to be addressed as well for the success of your corals.
Not to get to technical but their is more effective terminology to sizing up lighting intensity and wattage per gallon. These are called PUR and PAR and are a more effective representation of lighting and what the corals can and are able to receive!!!!
By not having as intense a lighting scheme, you can still employ the same scenario of desireable light by leaving your lights on longer than someone else with 250 watt halides instead of 150 halides as yourself. This will eventually end up casting enough light for the zooxanthellae and corals to survive and thrive successfully in your aquarium. Read up on PAR and PUR(Photosynthetically available and usable radiation)!
Plus their are so many species of coral, each with their own lighting requirements, that you will not have a hard time selecting corals for your tank, but if you have the money and want to upgrade your lights...go for it and you can give me you 150 light fixture!!!!!hahaha
good luck

 

No won't work you will need new ballast and then the lamp clips are different also .. if I understand your question correctly ? But 150's will do little for any coral species or types close to the lower sections you will have to go with 3 250'w atleast and 400w would not be out of the question either I ran 4 400's on my old 280..I have 3 400's on my 180. But with proper reflectors and good lamps the 250s will be fine just run some good actinic sublimation lighting 16 hrs a day .