Adding Sps to 29 gallon got ?'s

[Veosk]

I want to make sure that I have the right lighting for the tank. Currently I am running 1-175watt 20k Metal Halide w/ a Magnetic Ballast. Along w/ 2 65watt 50/50.
I have a 400watt Eletronic Ballast that I think would be too much for a 29 gallon.

Thoughts?

 

[nano427]

stick with the 175. I think 400 would be overkill

 

[Veosk]

The Purple Acro has been in my tank for a month
The yellow 1 week.

 

[rholguin]

When I had my 29g I had a de 250 halide over it and I had to have the light pretty high in order not to burn my sps. So I think a 400 would be over kill.

 

[kretzkiller]

you would need to have the light way too high. the amount of light isn't too strong; however, it would heat the water up too much and you would need a chiller.

 

[Veosk]

the 175 is about 10 inch from the surface is that a good distance. is there a better bulb I should be using/

right now 175watt 20k

 

[sedorusc]

the 20 k is supposed to be good for color of the coral therefore slowed growth. the brand of bulb you use also makes a difference. I also had a 250 over my 30 gallon and have recently switched to a 150 watt DE. my colors are starting to come back finally. you could switch out your 20k to a 14k or 10k and swich your 65 watts to actinics. that way you would keep your blue look. just wouldn't be as blue

 

[fijiblue]

I currently have two 250's over my 30 gal and they work great. I couldn't imagine a 400, though. My lights now are 10" off the water and the heat can get pretty intense sometimes.

 

[MrKite24]

stick with the 175. I think 400 would be overkill

I agree. I had a 175 and 2 55watt PC's over my 29 with great success. You may need a chiller to go along with it, though. You could go with the 175 10K and PC actinics or use a single 250 20k bulb.