upgrading lights

[capschamp]

Hi all. I would like to begin the process of adding corals to my tank and have a few concerns about my current lighting (I am choosing to start with the lights as they will cost me more than tinkering with the water parameters for corals). I currently am running 2x96,one 10k one actinic pc over my 30 gallon tank(18x36inches). For the sake of the question lets just consider that I would like to be able to keep any type of coral that catches my eye and the proper lighting requirements. Some that are listed on this website say medium light others say strong. I would also like to try a clam, although that would come later. I am currently looking to upgrade to either dual 175 watt metal halides or dual 250 metal halides. What kelvin should i be looking into? Would dual 250 be to much since my tank is only 18 in. deep? Basically this is my first trip into metal halide lighting and I need to be brought out of the dark side. All help is appreciated.:happyfish

 

[reefraff]

If heat is going to be an issue 175 will be fine. If heat is no problem going 250 watts offers you the advantage of being able to use the lights on a larger tank should you ever upgrade. If the tank is no more than three feet long you could maybe use a single double ended 250. If you keep the light high enough off the water the DE bulb will spread the light a bit farther than the standard two feet people reco. per bulb.

 

[capschamp]

Thanks reefraf. With the addition of our dachshund i don't think a bigger tank is in the near future.
I have found another question; would a combo light work well? that is, a metal halide with pc's (actinics) on it? Or should I do one 10k bulb and one 20 k (both metal halides)?

 

[boomper]

I run a 250 w HQI over my 29 and it has worked out great. I keep it a little higher off the water to reduce heat and so it does not burn or blind anything. PC actinic suppliments are probably a good idea, I am thinking about adding those myself. A 10k bulb will be whiter and give you the most coral growth. HTH. Using a 10k with the actinics would give you a solid setup.

 

[reefraff]

If you are going to add atinic to the halide try to find VHO instead of PC. Much better color.