HQI 250 vs 400 and 3 or 4 & Hieght....

[govertical19]

I know I have listened to it but I can not remember... The podcast on lighting, when should we go with a 400w? Over 24 or 30 inch in tank height? Also would it be one light ever 2 foot? If I get a a 6 ft tank 27" deep would I be OK(sps coral) with 2-250 or 3-250watt lights. Sorry if this is something that has been asked before!

[govertical19]

Outer Orbit HQI/T5HO | Current What's Next (http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbithqit5ho.html)

Would the model 1078 be ok? Or something similar?

[Phurst]

I'd prefer 3 lights, but you might be OK with just 2. IMO HQIs are only good for about 2'x2'. 27" is also right on the edge, again IMO between 250s and 400s. Again, you could certainly get by with 250s but I had 400s on my 120 and I really enjoyed being able to put things wherever I wanted.

[govertical19]

How many 400's did you have 2 or 3?

[Phurst]

I had 2, but they were single ended with lumenarc reflectors, so they did 3'x3' pretty well. HQIs just don't have the spread.

[PhotoJohn]

I would go with 3x250w halides. If you plan on growing high light acros in the sand you may want the 400s but I think 250s will work perfectly fine, and if you have t5 helpers i would think you could grow just about anything