Lighting Questions -> 400 watt SE vs. 250 watt HQI

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derek4real

I am not getting the results I would like with the 12K (250watt) reeflux bulbs. I tried these bulbs cause I heard alot of people getting these with good results. I will give it about a month before I decide to get rid of these bulbs. I like the color I get but the growth is lacking. I was using 15K XMs prior to Reeflux.

I am thinking of converting to 400 watt SE bulbs or going 250 watt HQI DE bulbs. If i go with the 400 watt bulb I would run 12k reeflux (as I heard the 400 watt is better than their 250) and if i go with 250 watt HQI, i would run phoneix 14k.

Modding my canopy for HQI would not be that difficult. But getting a 400 watt ballast would be the easiest to do. Going from a 250 watt to a 400 watt conversion on a reef, what would you suggest as far as photo-period? I am currently running VHOs for 10 hrs and MH for 6 hrs (VHO come on 2 hrs before MH and stay on 2 hrs after MH are on.)

Does converting to 400 watt bulbs change how fast the water gets hot?

Any suggestions?
 
Derek,

Your system/corals have to acclimate to the new light spectrum, that could take a couple of months.

Cheers,
 
go to 250 watt phoenix hqi bulbs best bulbs out there hands down.
 
More watts does not equate to more growth... Growth is a combination of conditions, feeding, lighting times, flow and a host of other things and of course the individual corals themselves.

Typically it can take 3-6 months for corals to really adapt and start to be happy under new lighting. If you keep changing things up on them, they will never settle down and be happy and content.

If you are getting the coloration you want, simply wait and look to the other factors before switching back up or going with more lighting.
 
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