Right lighting for a 25 gal tank

I have an established tank with live rock thats been running for almost 2 years now. I want to start growing hard corals. Someone informed me that metal halides would be overkill for my size tank. I was thinking of using VHO lighting. How many watts do i need and what type of bulbs should i use?

 

I would on a 25(please list dimesions) most likely go with one single 150 HQI bulb, most likely 14,000-20,000k. This will be the easiest route and pretty much a guarantee for SPS.
Post dimesions if you would like other ideas. Honestly, though I would personally skip the VHOs at least for your tank.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the info. From top to bottom its around 18 inches, 20 " across and about 19 front to back. I think its a biocube my friend gave it me. Heres a pic.

 

I have some more live rock coming and the puffers are being moved to another tank.

 

Are power compacts any good for sps in a small tank?

 

I have sps in my tank... But then again I have 72 watts over 5.5 gallons.. I will be doing 80 watts of t5ho's shortly or a mh clip on...

 

I would get 150w halides. This is an older pic of my ghetto rigged 29 gal with 175w pendant. It blows away my aquapod with 120w pc.

 

Is this a good price and is this the housing only? If so how much will a bulb run me? Reef Optix 1 Plus 175 - 250 - 400 Watt Pendant Reflector: Aquarium Supplies - Aqua Buys

 

That's the housing only, bulb will run about 30.00 (and that's from ebay) and the ballast is still about 100+


For your cube, even tho it's only 20 inches, I would highly suggest this setup:
Aquarium Lightings - Metal Halide Light Fixtures - Free Gift with Light Fixture Purchase

With the extra 2 inches on each side, you will be fine. And it's the cheapest setup you will find.

I use aquatraders, and have not had any issues. I would promote them over the big names any day. Mostly cause it's a hobby we should enjoy, you will enjoy more when you have money to spend .....

-Fritts

 

Thats a really good find thanks. Do i need to run all those bulbs in for my size tank and is 250w halide too much? Also how far away should it be from the water?