55 tall ideal lighting? Newb

[sbuoncri]

I have a 55 gallon set up right now and I want to get some nice lighting for it. The tank is 18L"x 30"W x 24"H and right now I have 4 x 65w pcs. I'd like to get some nice lighting so I'm debating between building a few different setups. The tank is 24" deep so I'm debating between 4 set ups:

1. 2 x 65w actinic PCs + 1 x 250w MH 10,000k
2. 2 x 175w 14,000k MH
3. 2 x 175w 14,000k MH + 2 x 65w actinic PCs
3. 1 x 400w 14,000k MH

What do you think would be the best to start doing sps and maintain lps at the bottom?

 

[jdieck]

I would use 2 x 175 14K or 20K covering 24" each.

 

[sbuoncri]

does 175w have enough penetration for clams at the bottom?, 24" deep is recommended at 250w from what I've read. 30 inch width of the tank is kind of an odd size so I'm debating what would provide the best lighting short of LEDs. I do have 2x65w pc ballasts already so I can use them for actinic if need be.

 

[jdieck]

Yes, 175 10K with actinic supplementation will sustain clams OK.
You need to try to balance lighting and heat. Given the water volume, two 250 w will give you some heating issues.

 

[sbuoncri]

so would one 250w with supplemental actinics be more appropriate for clams?

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14851395#post14851395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sbuoncri
so would one 250w with supplemental actinics be more appropriate for clams?

You could do it but you will not get as good a spread of light toward the ends of the aquarium. Remember that the light from two 175's will overlap in the middle so that area will be lighted up even more than with a single 250 in the middle.