HQI double ended

[reef fool]

A friend of mine is setting up a 175 bowfront reef and wants to be able to put any type of coral in it eventually. the tank is 28 1/2" high. Will 3 - 250 watt HQI MH's accented with 2- 160 watt superactinic vho's be sufficient?
Also, are the double ended HQI's as good as the standard single ended bulbs?
Thanks for any help
Frank

 

[marvida]

As far as the HQI vs. mogul styles, IMO the light is as good. The HQI's require a UV filter glass and are more expensive but they fit in tighter spaces. I don't have any large tanks so I can't answer your other question.
Ken

 

[daniel411]

I personally use HQI metal halides. However, if given the choice/room, you have more options for spectrums/etc. going with the standard bulbs.

 

[bigmac]

even better I used 250 watt DE's for a while. Everythng I've seen and read says these bulbs put out more light then all the 400's except for the saki...

 

[reef fool]

Thanks all, and my soon to be, fellow reefer buddy thanks you also.