580g Lighting Question

[skairik]

This weekend I will begin converting my 580g FOWLR (120"L X 28"W X 40"T) to a reef. I have another tank - 225g reef - that I will be pulling all the LR out of and adding to the existing LR in the 580.

My question is: With that much rock - approx. 800lbs - stacked high enough, would 4 X 250W Hamilton Pendant halides be sufficient enough lighting for SPS and clams? I'm knowledgable enough to know that 4 X 400W would be enough but in the interest of keeping my electric bill tolerable I'd like to use my Hamilton pendants.

If the prevalent opinion is Yes then what type of bulb would you all suggest? I was leaning more towards the 14K's but before I spend the money I'd like some feedback.

Pics of the 580g FOWLR and 225 reef:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e135/skairik/580GallonFOWLR120LX28WX40T.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e135/skairik/ReefPics5-5-06006.jpg

 

[Fiziksgeek]

It would work as long as the light loving corals we kept near the top (upper 20 inches or so). You might need as additional pendant or two to cover the 10ft length though.

I would recommend bumping up to the 400 watters, 1000 watters if you wanted to put clams on the sand bed....but I certainly understand the need to keep costs down.

 

[nyvp]

anything 30"+ they promote at least 400 watters