25 gallon high tank

[ckg4445]

I am interested in what type of lighting would be needed form my 25 gallon high tank i am planning to have Live rock, live sand, clowns, and mushroom and soft corals. Please let me know what i would need to get the best results for the money.

[darkblade]

I would suggest either 150 HQI or 175W Metal Halide. Since your 25 is tall, you will want to have the usable PAR value, penetrate to the bottom.
Plus, with Metal Halide, when you see that sweet blue tipped acro on sale... you won't be wishin' you had them, 'cause you will ;;

[Bamm Bamm]

I had a full blown 25tall reef setup for over a year until a recent crash 6 months ago.. Anenome went through a powerhead while I was on vacation for a week..=(

But anyways..
I was using a 250MH I originally was using a 6500k iwasaki then switched to a 12000k light I got from hellolights that only lasted a few months.. a 250 is great.. I did build a 14" tall hood for the tank though with a 4" fan on one side and the back completely open.. I had a 6" fan mountes behind the tank blowing air into it and the 4" would suck the hot air out..It worked out great but I wish I would've had a chiller also..

[MntReef]

I have the same size tank and use a JBJ Power Compact Deluxe Formosa Hood. It has two 55W bulbs, I have one 10,000K and one actinic, for a total of 110watts. This would be plenty of light for what you are talking about. MH would be overkill in my opinion. The JBJ Actnic bulb is probably the best PC actinic on the market, it really makes my corals pop. Be aware that the earlier, cheaper JBJ systems were junk. I went through several bulbs (replaced by the manufacturer), before the aquarium store gave me a free upgrade to the Deluxe Formosa. These systems have mounting "legs" that allow you fit the hood directly on top of your tank without having to suspend it - I really like the look. Mine is black which looks really nice on my Black Seal tank with a black back and sitting on a black metal stand.

[CaptainK]

I am not sure of the dimensions of your tank. But I have a 29G and have 3x75W VHO's powered by an Icecap660. Also have two clowns, mushrooms, 2 montiporas, green brain and a bubble coral. All are doing great.

HTH,
CaptK