Is 250 too much?

I think I have finally decided to go with MH when I upgrade my lights. I currently have 2x54W T5HO 12K & Actinic. I will replace the 12k with another Actinic and get 2 MH. I mentioned to a friend that I was thinking about 2x175W 12K MH for my 55G (18" deep). He said I should go to 25oW I don't plan on keeping clams or hard corals for a while, if ever, and I thought 500W might be a little too much for my fish. opinions?

 

If your not going to keeping anything that requires alot of light I would save some money and go with 175W and put the money you saved into buying a good skimmer. If its going to be a FOWLR I wouldnt upgrade the lights.

 

You could get away with 175w easily if price is an issue. There's not as many choices of Kelvin ratings for the 175. But that may not be an issue for you. Coralvue has many types of Kelvin ratings for this bulb. 10k 12k and 15k.

After rereading your post... If you're not going to keep corals then I wouldn't upgrade either. The T-5's should be just fine.

Jim

 

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try some soft corals, mushrooms and SPS (same as soft??). And after seeing my friends tank, I love the ripple shadows a point source like the MH gives. The long tubes just don't do that!

Mike

 

SPS - small plyp stony corals. The most light demading and hardest to keep in my opinion. They do not tolerate phosphates or poor water quality at all.
Make sure you are ready ( research ) for them before introducing them into your tank. They will enjoy the metal halides!

Jim

 

Thanks to all! You are my research, I have come to trust the answers I get here! :thumbs_up
Now on the the corals forum!

Mike