150 watt HQI's

[blue]

I was thinking of using 2-150 watt HQI's and either VHO or PC actinics over my 80 gallon reef. WOuld this be sufficent lighting for LPS and soft corals along with a couple of clams on the sand?
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Think befor you speak or dont speak at all!!!

[chromis]

I would like to know too...

[PerryinCA]

It would work for everything. Exception being that the only clams I would have in the sand are Derasa's.

-Perry

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Some call it evolution,
And others call it God.
Each In His Own Tongue (1908)
William Herbert Carruth 1859-1924

[Ninong]

Yes, it would be sufficient lighting for LPS and soft corals and a couple of derasa clams on the sand. This assumes that your tank is less than 24" high and that you will probably have a 4" deep sand bed, right? Even if your tank was 24" high, you could still get by with what you intend to keep but I think that the 250w HQI size would be a better choice.

However, assuming that your tank is approximately 21" high and that you will have a 4" sand bed, the two 150w HQI lamps would be fine, especially if you will supplement them with either VHO or PC actinics. If you want to keep SPS or crocea or maxima clams, just place them higher up in the tank and under the metal halides.

Ninong [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[chromis]

what about in a 55, which is 18 " tall minus 5 inch sand bed = 13 inches. I could keep all clams on sand? I have 2X55 watt PCs for actinics or white. plan on adding either 2X 175 MH OR 2X 150 HQI MH.
Thanks
Andrew

[Ironreef]

I would get the 150hqi. But if you get the 175w derasa should be fine. Or squamosa. Get on 3" or larger they are hardier

[Ninong]

Chromis, I think that two 150w HQI lamps would be ideal in your situation. Concerning your question about clams on the sand, of the three species of Tridacnids that are most popular in the hobby, only T. derasa should be placed on the sand. T. crocea and T. maxima should be placed on the rocks so that they can attach their byssus gland to a rocky substrate and so that they can get more light. If someone insisted on placing a crocea or maxima on the sand, they should at least place a flat rock just under it.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

[blue]

THanks for the help all i am going to get the 150's i would love to have the 250's ninong but thats another 200 bucks.
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Think befor you speak or dont speak at all!!!