I may have gone overboard

[tmc1313]

I have a 144 half circle that I'm setting up as a mixed reef. I bought two 400 watt pendants with de 14k bulbs from Hamilton. It's the Sun Cayman setup. I think I should have gone with two 250's. What do you guys think? Too late to return the 400's. Maybe I can use some screen mesh to cut down on light if it's too much? What are some opinions and thoughts? The tank is 30" deep, but the top of my rock work is 15" from surface.

 

[dublo8]

At 30" deep you will be fine with 400's. No need for 250's. If it seems to much just move the fixtures up a bit. Start them really high and acclimate all corals. You can also buy some of the sun screen material from HD and layer it accordingly. Remove a layer every week and you should be good.

 

[karsseboom]

You need 400w mh for a tank that deep, 250 will not be good for a tank as deep as yours.

 

[tmc1313]

OK, good to know. I guess I just needed some reassurance. I will use the screening method, especially for the SPS corals that will be at the top of the rock work.