175 or 250?

[misguided]

Im going to order a retrofit kit but i dont know wether i should get a 175 or 250 MH because I'm not sure if im going to even be keeping SPS but i do know for sure i want Clams and i want them on the sand bed. My canopy is only about 7" tall and the retrofit kit doesn't come with a glass covered canopy can i just put a piece of acrylic over the opening on my acrylic tank?

Thanks Guys
Logan

 

[mickyfin]

250 - close to the same price and more punch for when you *do* decide on SPS

 

[donfishy76]

I guess it would also depend on what tank they are going over, particularly, what the height of the tank is, ... moreover, the depth of the water in the tank!

 

[misguided]

Well its a 28 gallon acrylic hexagon which is 20" minus the 3" DSB im going to have

 

[The_Reef _Man]

i have one 175 watt over my 24 inch deep tank and i am able to keep squamosas. I have not put in any groceas or maximas though.

 

[misguided]

Would 250 7" above be too low my house is AC is stays around 68-70 if that would help

 

[misguided]

^^^

 

[jimbo045]

I say 175s, I use a pair on my 120, with some VHOs and it seems fine. JD

 

[misguided]

But this will be my only lighting i don't have room under my hex canopy for anything else?

 

[E.Smith]

If you are not thinking about keeping SPS, I would look into a T5 set up. It would run cooler than a MH setup. You also shouldn't have any problem keeping clams on your sand bed with the right bulb configuration. I would stay away from putting an acrylic cover directly over the tank opening. By placing a cover over the tank opening you would greatly be hindering the gas exchange process from water to air, and evaporation.

 

[mace88]

I have a 250 with a clam at the bottom and my tank is 25 inches tall.