what lighting? what to do? aaaghhh...

[alans22]

I have a 30 gallon ( 30 inch ) with 161 watts of power compact lighting on it, just over 5 watts per gallon. Im looking to improve my lighting situation; my wish is to be able to keep a squamosa clam and a few sps corals on top of the mushrooms, zoas, star polyps and xenia that currently reside in my tank. On one hand i could add an additonal 96 watt 18" quad compact for $129, a 150watt metal halide pendant for $100, or a 250watt metal halide for $100 (good sale!). i dont want to ditch any of my current coral, temperature is a concern also, and the aesthetic quality of the light itself. any info or experiences welcome.


*i posted this in the equipment forum and only got one reply...

 

[Blown 346]

I myself woulf go with the halide upgrade, it is cheaper and with it you would be able to keep your clam and SPS.
I would go with the 250 watt halide. If you dont want to use actinic supplementation I would go with a 14 or 15 K halide bulb which you would be able to swap out for the one with the new halide, if it even comes with a bulb.

 

[bertoni]

MH sounds good to me, too. I would probably go with 150 W, unless you want the 250 for a future tank upgrade.

 

[MiddletonMark]

How tall is your tank?

I'd go with the MH as well. Probably the 150 for intensity [probably don't need a 250]. Only real benefit for 250's is the wider variety of bulbs and useful guides other reefers have prepared about intensity/look from various bulbs [http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm]

But IMO, a 150 should get your what you need.

What other corals do you have?

 

[alans22]

thank you very much i appreciate the advice

 

[techigirl78]

Are you dead set on the squamosa? These are one of the larger clams. Have you thought about crocea? They don't get as large and would allow you more room for your corals.

 

[dugg]

Go with the MH. Nothing can compare to the look and quality of MH lighting. It's cheaper in the long run also.

 

[Monkeyfish]

If you go from power compact to MH you may need to slowly aclimate the tank inhabitants to the new lighting (depending on the corals that are in there) to prevent shock and bleaching.