75 reef tank lighting, very fraustated!

[seaapple]

I've been doing a lot of research and getting different opions professional like u guys. I really need to make up my mind on lighting for my reef tank. It's 75 gal. and about 18" deep. I want to add some maximas clams and some LPS and so on. But I always hear to get 250w on MH's but what namebrand? So far what I've seen the Ushio has a nice color. Also I hear to get PC's but what kind, 7100, 8800,or 10,000? I hear not to get the VHO's bcuz it gets too hot. Furthermore what's better the, PFO's or the Acrolight? What's the difference? So, what's with the ballasts, electronic or magnetic? What's a PFO? HQI? Do I need this if one day I decide to go with a bigger tank? What's better a single or double ended MH? Last one, if I buy a 250w MH and later decide to increase to a 400w...can I use the same lightstripe?
Fraustrated reef seaaplle. :notsure:

orplace@netscape.net

 

[yosemite sam]

Hi, and welcome to the board. There's a good thread on lighting going on now that you should check out:
lighting
I have two 400w bulbs over my 75, but it is an sps/clam tank. I have used vho for atinic supplement, but I also have a chiller, so the heat issue is not really a problem. How much can you spend? Are you able to get a chiller as well?

 

[sergeant]

If heat is your concern a fan will fix it quick. I have two 96 watts PC's in a 37 gallon tank and three 110 watts VHO's in a 55 gallon tanks and I can tell you that my PC's produce more heat than my VHO's.

 

[sammiefish]

while im just getting into MH's, I have done quite a bit of research... I can share with you what I bought based on my research...
For my 75 I went with 2 x 250 W 20000K XM and 2 48" VHO Actinics.. Advice i have states that people have success with this setup growing acropora and clams.
I think 250 W will be enough for a tank of my depth... the depth is the same for many larger tanks as well..
If you upgrade to a 400W then you need new ballasts.