[JimmyTheJeweler]

For my new 180 I have 2 250w MH right now. Should I add a single 400w in the center or add 4 110w VHO's for more light. What would you do.

 

[rscdragon]

A single 400 would be more beneficial if you keeping sps. I have the same set up on my 150 2 250, a 400 and 1 110 actinics.

 

[cbonito]

Jimmy,

I would take a lot of things into consideration before jumping.

What type of bulb are you using in the 2 250 watt ballasts you have right now?
If you're using 10k ushios, or 6500k Iwasakis, then I'd just put another 250 in the middle
with the same bulb. The reason I say this is that the 250 watt Iwasakis at a minimum are more powerful than most of the 400 watters out there. The ushios are close, and the only bulbs out there that are more powerful than the above mentioned are basically 400 watt counterparts.

If you are using a more high kelvin bulb, then a 400 watt Ushio would be great in the middle.

Take into consideration also, the fact that a 400 watt WILL up the temp of the tank significantly.
It has a larger arctube in it, and the bulb is larger with more surface area than any 250 watt bulb, so it will radiate a lot more heat. Add fans is you decide to do this.

Also, I would give everything a good acclimation period to whatever bulb you add, as there will initially be a lot of unhappy guys in there if you don't.

Hope that helps...

 

[Skippy_electrician]

Good advice, I have to take my time acclimating the corals to my light 2 400 MH as most LFS do not have this much light over their tanks. The metal screen that u would use for repair works great for me.

 

[John Brancheau]

Skippy,

I am set-up to run 4 15k 175's and 2 6 foot vho's, I think that this should do me, seems that the two 175's on my 90 gave me pretty good growth.

 

[JimmyTheJeweler]

My 2 250's are 20k Radiums. I will have to see if I can find a picture of a Ushio bulb. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[hjmtv]

I've heard that typically 1 bulb is good for 2 feet of width. I assume you 180g is 6 feet long so I think you do need another bulb. I think a 400w would look cool in the middle. I think there are a couple of other people on this board who do the same, maybe they can post a pic.