Lighting for new reef

[alizar185]

I'm planning a reef top aquarium for clown fish with clams and eventually SPS corals, various shrimp, inverts and molusks. Should I go with: 2-150W HQI MH + 2-96W PC+ 3 LED or 2-250W HQI MH+ 2-96W PC+ 4 LED? About $220 difference. Any and all will be appreciated.

thanx,
Steve

[Ninong]

If you expect to keep clams and SPS, you would be better off with the 250w halides. What size is the tank? How tall is the water column?

If this tank is only about 20" tall, then the 150w halides might be acceptable but it's it taller than that you would be better off with the 250w halides. If the tank is taller than about 27", you might want to consider 400w halides.