Need help please! :)

I have a 29 gallon tank in my room and I want to start have SPS, LPS, Clams, and Brains. Basically everything lol I'm looking to invest in a metal halide. I see fixtures such as lamps that do 150 or 250W.
I was wondering which one should I look into? Like is 150w enough for any coral, or do I need 250?
Also, should I be looking for 10000K or 14000K?
Will 250w be too much lighting?
I know it will create a lot of heat, so fans are a must, but some lamps have cooling fans which is cool. I also see it should be about 8 inches above the water.
I know I have a lot of questions, but I'd like some help :)
 
or something like this which is 250 watts. I like that it has moon lights
http://www.amazon.com/K-2-Viper-Deluxe-Clamp-Lamp/dp/B003J7ZFUQ
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Have you looked into LED setup for the tank? You could eliminate the heat issue, and keep anything you wanted as well and mitigate costly bulb changes as well.
 

Have you looked into LED setup for the tank? You could eliminate the heat issue, and keep anything you wanted as well and mitigate costly bulb changes as well.
I've thought about, but LEDs are too complicated to understand. I don't know what to shop for, or wattage wise. Have an example of a fixture that would be perfect?
 

acrylic51

Active Member
There are several people here who are very good. Corey has been tutoring me, and if I can follow along anyone can!!!! Actually it's not super complicated and there are a lot of super threads on the subject and some Utube videos that explain everything. I think Corey linked the video in another thread. If you like I can link you to the video later on and some excellent build threads as well. Hopefully Josh will chime in as well.
There is also DIY kits available as well that simplifies things a bit. Again can provide some resources I needed.
 

acrylic51

Active Member
150 MH would work, but I don't think the color temp of the 150 bulbs are as wide as the 250 selection......
 
some people say 150 and others say 250. Some people say 250 is good because its 8.5 watts per gallon compared to 5ish. Some people say 5 watts is not enough for clams and sps
 

acrylic51

Active Member
The rule of watts per gallon doesn't or isn't a true measurement.....you would need to look more at PAR numbers vs watts per gallon!!!!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/386781/need-help-please#post_3399281
There are several people here who are very good. Corey has been tutoring me, and if I can follow along anyone can!!!! Actually it's not super complicated and there are a lot of super threads on the subject and some Utube videos that explain everything. I think Corey linked the video in another thread. If you like I can link you to the video later on and some excellent build threads as well. Hopefully Josh will chime in as well.
There is also DIY kits available as well that simplifies things a bit. Again can provide some resources I needed.
like what would be the equivalent to a 150 watt metal halide? I see some fixtures that are 50 watts, or 50 led bulbs, but after watching the video, I still don't quite understand what would be the equivalent to a metal halide
 

acrylic51

Active Member
What are you planning on keeping in the tank?? Sorry in your first post I see you want to keep a little of everything......The 1W might be ok, but usually don't have the penetration depending how high they would be mounted. If you want to keep anything like you stated before you'd be better served looking at the AquaIllumination units.....Might be a bit more expensive, but the AI units are proven, and worth the money vs the linked units you posted.
 
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