Reefing

[yellow ace]

I really want to get into having a reef, but I do not completely understand lighting and so I was wondering if people could give their input on what I would need for a 46-gallon bowfront. I am looking at an mh, becuase I would not have to upgrade, but everyone is saying, "You can keep SPS with an mh". I (sadly) do not know what SPS is...I assume it is a kind of coral?
-Ace

 

[wax32]

Get a 250w metal halide pendant and you can keep whatever you want. (This would mean going topless. No canopy.)

 

[yellow ace]

no canopy? How would that work? (sorry...I am not very adept when it comes to lighting.) I do not have one of the large wooden canopies right now. Right now I just have a glass cover and the flouresent light that came with the tank.
-Ace

 

[hot883]

A pendant hangs from the ceiling as like a spot light

 

[yellow ace]

ooh...is there any way to aviod that? or is that the only choice (trying to open up options)
Also, when it comes to the bulbs what should I get? the tank is a little over 36 inches deep (high). someone had suggested 2x150 mh bulbs, and I want to supplement them with actinics. What would you recommend?
-Ace