55 Gallon Corner tank Lighting Question.

[herzlos]

I currently have a Bow Front corner 55 gallon Tank. It has a 24" 2-65 watt Compact Fluorescent Fixture on it. Would adding a clamp on HQI Metal Halide Fixture work to increase my Watts to Gallons, or will that cause the coral to grow more towards the Metal Halide fixture?
Would I be better off removing the Compact fluorescent fixture and going with a 400watt Metal Halide Pendant?

 

[wangotango]

You will definately get more growth from the halides. You should be fine with a 175w bulb, and use the PC for actinics.
Watts/gallon really isn't an accurate way to choose lighting anymore.
-Justin

 

[herzlos]

Thanks,
Ok, Even after reading some more on lighting I am kinda lost as to best way to pick lighting. I been looking at some fixtures but not 100% sure which to go with.
I have figure out that MH will produce more heat then a HO T5 light fixture. Is a MH really going to heat up the tank if theres no hood to hold the heat in?
Going off the size fixture my tank will allow I have found these would work.
A.) 23" HO T5 fluorescent 24W x 6 lighting fixture with 6 bulbs
B.) Outer Orbit HQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Fixture ( 24" 280 watt: 1-150 watt HQI; 2-65 watt)
C.) Sundial Hanging Pendant Lighting Fixture (214 watts 1-150 watt 2-32 watt)
D.) SunPod HQI Metal Halide Fixtures with Lunar Lights (would go 150W HQI or 250W HQI since it won't have Actinic)
Out of the 4 fixtures listed above could someone list them in the order that would allow me to keep almost anything? My tank is 22" tall. If you have another model you would recommend please do. I am limited to 24" max in length, 10" to 12"max depth, and Height isn't to much of an issue.
Thanks