[jkeithh1969]

My LFS has suggested I use ine 250-watt Metal Halide in the center of my tank instead of having metal halides on each end. I am leaning toward metal halides on the end so I can have more intense lighting over the whole tank instead of just the center. Am I wrong? His logic was I could eventually put my SPS and Clam in the center under the MH and then the light would gradually fall off as you went down the sides of the reef for the things that did not need the intense lighting (my softies, etc.). My logic was in that I would not be limited to keeping SPS and clams just in the center, I could keep them anywhere on my reef. Any ideas or comments?

[ick sucks]

really it depends on your personal taste. and how much you want to spend halides are exspensive. you can get away with it in the center to save cash but to really get a nice bright effect two is better than one. plus if you have 2 and 1 shuts off or burns out at least you will have time to get a new one with one of them working. 2 is always better than 1 when it comes to hardware.

[jkeithh1969]

Originally Posted by ick sucks

really it depends on your personal taste. and how much you want to spend halides are exspensive. you can get away with it in the center to save cash but to really get a nice bright effect two is better than one. plus if you have 2 and 1 shuts off or burns out at least you will have time to get a new one with one of them working. 2 is always better than 1 when it comes to hardware.

Thank you for the reply. You make some good points and have helped me make up my mind to get a dual 175-watt retro kit.

Again, thank you for the reply.

[saltjunkie]

that is silly.. as with a center brace and all..... halides are a point source light and the brace would block some of the lighting.....

stick to your guns with the 2x175......