Lighting my new 150g reef tank

My tank is 72L/24D/26w I have 2 ideas to run 2-250w mh or 3-175w mh

 

The 2 250s won't cover that length of tank, you will have some dark shadows on either end. The 3 175 would be better IMO, but if I had that size tank, I would run 3 250s.

 

Sounds more like a 180 - 200 if the measurements are correct, are you sure its 24" wide, and not 18"? Only using 2 halides you would have to put them right over the center supports. Not only will that cast a shadow in the tank but it will eventually melt them. 3 halides and 2-4 VHO or T5 actinics are the average setup for a tank that size.

~Will.

 

What bulb

What bulbs should I use a se mh or a HQI mh
it is 26in w

 

I use both.

The DE seem to last a little bit shorter. Otherwise, I can't see much difference. Besides quality of reflectors that is.

 

A friend of mine has the same size tank and he runs 3 175w's and supplements with 2 454 VHO's. As of right now he is using the Iwaski 15k bulb and reports great color and growth. I run the Iwaski 15k also and have seen some decent growth.

 

Thanks

Cool thanks

 

run three 175W iwasaki 15K bulbs...
I work with sanjay (you may have heard of him from advanced aquarist) here at PSU and trust me, the PAR values for 175W iwasaki are higher than 90% of the 250W "other brands"