150W AB HQI or 250W AB mogul?

[ccyflai]

Could anyone comment on the brightness of 150W AB HQI and 250W AB mogul MH? I had the AB aquaspacelight 2 x 150W and I would like to upgrade to 2 x 250W mogul-based MH with spider reflector. Is it worth the change? My tank is 48" x 20" x 20". Actually, I would like to replace my AB aquaspcelight as it occupies a lot of space over the tank. Changing to retrofit 250W allows me to supplement T5HO actinic in more flexible way.

[jsaltzgi]

I can't speak from experience for the 250 watt single ended bulbs, but I can tell you I (and my corals, lol) like the 250 watt AB DE bulbs. MountainDewMan has a 250 watt DE bulb and a SE bulb over the same tank, and they appear identical- I'm sure they'd work for you. I think he uses a pfo HQI ballast. They are bright bulbs! Your tank is what a 100 gallon or so? I have 2 250 watt DE and 1 150 watt DE 20 K plus vho actinic over my 75 and it seems to work very well, both for growth purposes, and appearances. I personally like the colors of the corals that become more apparent with some higher kelvin bulbs in there.

Do you already have the T5 actinics on? How do you like them? I haven't seen them on yet and have been very curius about how well they make corals flouresce.

I'm sure your corals will appreciate the upgrade!

[jsaltzgi]

I just happened to be checking on his site again, and he now just runs 2 250 watt mogul AB bulbs, so I think it's a fair bet that they are pretty darn good bulbs!!!

James