Opinions on MH setup on 125g

[lazzybunch]

Currently on my 125g I have 2 Icecap 660's running 4 6' VHO bulbs. I have been thinking about adding Metal Halides and am trying to decide which way to go. I was considering going with three 175's or two 250's. I plan on keeping a few SPS and mabye a clam but I don't want to overpower my tank. I was considering the three 175's to spread out the coverage in the tank and because of the 2 braces running across the top. Don't know if they will cast a shadow with just the 2 lights. Does anybody have a similar setup? I plan on cutting back to 1 set of VHO's with 3 six foot actinics.
Suggestions on ballasts are welcome also as I am undecided on that too.
Thanks

 

[bigmac]

SPS need intense lighting....look at it like this. You can have sps in a 10,000 gal tank with just a single 400 watt MH as long as you have the sps within 8-30" of the bulb (maybe a little further) You can probably keep sps in your tank under 175 watt bulbs but the light from 175 watters isn't all that intense so your sps wont do as well. If I were doing a tank like your I would start with 3x250 watt MH's and go from there, probably adding a 400 watter later on......Awww, who am I kidding I'd do 3x400.
Don't you hate those cross bars?

 

[ryebread]

Completely agree with bigmac. I would start with the 3 x 250w MH set-up.......it isn't much more money than if you did 3 x 175, but the results will be worth the difference. Plus I think there are more options available with the 250w bulbs compared to the 175s.
I currently have 5 x 110w VHO + 2 x 250w Ushio 10k MH on my 120g. I really like the look of the tank.