Terps

I am already running a chiller on this tank so the heat should not be a problem anyway. What is it exactly I lose by not having 400s? What is the benefit. Also, in regards to price... I am not seeing that much price difference between 250 and 400 in terms of the ballast/bulb/relfector&pendant - maybe about $50-60 per ballast?

I don't mind getting a third pendant/bulb/ballast if that is the way to go but most of what I heard so far is that the 400s are too much. Is that not true? I can use these down the line?

Ok, another dumb question (or two)... what is HQI MH? is that the same as double-ended? Do I want those instead of the Mogul type screw in bulbs? And what about these expensive lighting units with the MH, Actinics, and Moonlights all in one? It seems everyone does the "DIY" thing by buying reflectors, ballasts, bulbs, etc and putting it all together. Is that because doing it DIY gives better lighting or to save on the cost of the all-in-one units?

I heard once that these puffers need de-worming, have you done that?

Thanks! I had a feeling those 400's were too much. I just found this post which I will try to sort through: Lighting Discussion for a similarly sized tank (220)

I am looking to move one of my 180s from FOWLR to putting some coral and I need some lighting advice. I have been screwing up/learning fish only for a year or two now and I have no idea what I'm doing in the reef arena. I think I have already screwed up my lighting situation so please help! My first attempt at reef lighting I bought from a member who had a 180 so I figured I was in good shape! This was 2 400W MH moguls and 2 VHO(?) actinics on this crappy 4 foot reflector thing that I guess was in a hood. I do not have a hood and my lights are behind a wall so this seemed like a bad setup to me (light escaping everywhere). In an attempt to band-aid this lighting I bought a couple of pendants/reflectors which I didn't realize wouldn't work with my current ballast, so I ended up buying new ballasts. Well, now I am getting the sense that I don't really need 400W and I want to punt and get rid of all I have now and get a nice all in one unit....should I shoot for some kind of 250W HQI / actinic combo or stick with a 400W? I think I definitely need 3 bulbs whether they are MH mogul or HQI for a 6 foot length, right? not 2! I know it all depends on what corals I will be keeping, but I am not sure really and would like the lighting to not restrict whatever I want to try in the future.

I will take it if it is still available. Delivered to Frederick, MD? PM Sent.