Light upgrade question

[peregrine3751]

Hi all;
I've got a tall 30 gal. ( 24"L X 12" W X 23" T ). Right now I've only got two 65 watt PC's on it. Can't get enought light to the bottom of the tank. So, I need a Halide. I'm just not sure how many watts. I've looked at the Halide-PC units and they'er all to wide, about 15". So I'm looking at a pendant but not sure how many watts, 150 or 250 ? Oh, right now I have soft corals but may try some SPS down the road.
Thanks

Dave

 

[anydarnthing]

150w are good for softies and sps if you keep them higher in the tank but if you get 250w you can put the sps anywhere. I have 400w on a 24" deep tank, so that might be a little overkill.

 

[stewie24]

I"d go with a 250 watt. You could try your luck with the clamp on version that Coralife makes. Its only 150 watt tho.
On second thought, you might think about PMing cutiewitbooty
She's running a 150 watt version of the coralife aqualight on a 25 gallon tank. (its wider than her tank).
This is the 250 watt MH version with actintic suppliments. It would be about 3 inches wider than your tank (1.5 on each side). It looks good if you've got the cash.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES53522

Stewie

 

[scrmbld33]

23" depth, 250w should work good

 

[stewie24]

Here's one that is 250 watt and is only 11 inches wide. Comes with everything too.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF5523K

Stewie

 

[peregrine3751]

Thanks for the replies. Gives me more to think about.

Dave