How much PC lighting over a 10g?

[LockeOak]

I'm moving my 10g tank from its temporary rigged lighting up to a proper lighting setup. I've decided to go with one of the Coralife Aqualight series. I want to be able to keep softies and LPS, maybe (just maybe) one or two easy SPS. I would also like this lighting setup to be transferable to a future 25g tank. Options:

96W 50/50 ($90)
or
2x65W 10k and actinic + moon LEDs ($120)

I know either would be sufficient for my current 10g, but would either be too much for 10g or not enough over a 25g? Thanks

 

[Harville]

The 2x65w would be better for the 25g

The 96w would be perfect for the 10g

Reason being: 10g tanks are 20"long

96w Quad Bulbs are 18" long.

65w bulbs are 22" long

The 2x65w would work on the 10g but be prepared for the light to hang over the sides by about 4" as the bulbs themselves are longer than the tank.

 

[LockeOak]

Yeah, I know the size won't be quite right, but the leg stands are adjustable. I'm prepared for that (I'll just sit some bottles of phyto culture to the side of the tank in the "excess" light).

 

[hahnmeister]

I would look into T5s instead. They are about 3x brighter than PC watt per watt. They start at 24" long, sure, but the bulbs are only 22.5" long, and a good inch at each end is unlit. This means they are only about 20" long. So the fixture might hang over the end, sure, but light wont be wasted. It will be much nicer when you go to a larger tank then as well as long as you can tolerate the overhang for now. The bulb choices for T5s are much better as well.

You could get away with 2x24watt T5s, or 4x24wattT5s for SPS and clams. The 4x24wattT5 unit, only 96 watts, is easily 3x brighter than the 96watt PC alternative.

Here: http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=LT-CV-T5RK2-2

Those are good units for $99 each. One or two would do you fine.