lighting advice for 275 gal

[siropa]

I've got a 275 gallon that i'm looking for some opinions on lighting it. Its 21" deep. There are 2 openings on the top. one is 25.5" x 36" the other is 25.5"x40". I've got enough spare hardware to light up 6 175w MH bulbs and a boatload of regular old 40w actinics. The tank is going to be a mix of sps and softies, but leaning heavily towards the sps. The softies are a secondary concern by far.

Should I put 2 of the 175w over each opening or 3? is 3 overkill? they will fit, but would be close enough for enough overlap on the output.

I've got 10k XM bulbs on my current 75 and like the look and was planning on going with those again. But if I end up with 3 bulbs per opening, would a mix with maybe one 20k bulb make sense for a little more blue look?

Any opins will be appreciated.

 

[yaktop]

sps should be lit with a minimum of 250's in a 20+ deep tank unless you want all brown corals. IMO.

 

[siropa]

my 75 is the same depth with 2 175w and i've got plenty of color. i'm really not worried about that. Besides, that really wasn't what I was asking. I was asking how to best use the equipment I have.

 

[yaktop]

Re: lighting advice for 275 gal

Any opins will be appreciated. [/B]

that was my opin. If it fits I would use it. good luck.

 

[nyvp]

both will work either 175 or 250. use what you have

 

[Larry Waughon]

4-175's should do it, but than can you really over due it when it comes to lighting?

 

[Wryknow]

Yeah, I would go with 4 with good reflectors and see how it goes.