What can I grow with 250W MH?

I have a semicircular, 4' wide, 2' front to back in the middle, about 2.5' deep tank. Trying to estimate the electricity costs (very high in San Diego) for an AmpMaster pump (which draws twice its advertised rating--but that is another post) and a pair of 250W CoralVue HQI pendants (they fit the decor of the house nicely and the cabinet the tank sits on) makes me almost afraid to put water in the tank.

If I used only a single Coralvue 250W pendant at say 6 hours a day, maybe 8 hours, what could I grow? Pendant height above tank is somewhat adjustable, but I don't want it so close that the water chiller runs all day.

I am really interested in an undersea garden that sways with the currents. Nice macro algaes, those worms that resemble annenones, soft corals with long swaying pulips come to mind as hopefuls.

Thanks for any info.

James

 

if just doing softies and such you will be fine, but i would have to see the actuall tank. It donest seem as if one pendant would cover the entire tank. If it was me i would not skimp on the lights, thats one of the most important parts

 

How deep is the tank?

 

Which pendant? if it is one of those lumenbright or lumenmax reflectors, then yes, 1 250 watter will work great over a 4 foot tank, provided there is no center brace.

 

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Thanks horkn

 

My tank is 2 feet deep and i have a single 250w MH over the tank atm (others are getting fixed) and my LPS and softies are doing great. Hope this helps.

 

I would not do a single light on that size tank simply for aesthetic reasons. It will look hack. If your going to spend the money setting up a nice tank, do it the right way.
If the energy usage is bothering you too much, go with T5's.