which MH should I get

[Condiman]

I have the opertunity to get a 70watt MH or a 175 MH but I am concerned about the corals in my tank. I have a 25 gallon flatback hex tank that is only 18 inches tall. Also any advice about dyin it would be helpful

[mjc]

It would depend on what your're planning on raising. SPS would require MH, but I've also seen and experienced some beautiful montipora and porcipilla (sp) raised using VHO and PC lighting.

Other considerations to think about includes height of MH over the water surface comes into consideration, placement of corals, and water temp. I have 3x250w MH and 4x55w PC actinic in my 125g. The lights are placed approximately 18" over the water surface. My SPS are placed anywhere from 10 to a few inches below the water surface. My LPS and 'shrooms are placed below that.

[Macbeth417]

First off let us discount the 70watt MH, to me those are counter productive. I have NEVER seen any SPS corals thrive under anything smaller than 250watts(they will grow, but often tend to brown or fade). Though with 18" you may get away with a 175pendant.

This very much depends on what you want to keep, as mjc stated. For a tank that small I think you would be better off with LPS, but that is just my personal call based on light, flow(DOS export) and the lower capacity for parameter stability in a small tank.

If you have your heart set on MH then perhaps one AB 250watt 10KK(13kk) mogal in a pendant would be right for you. If you are itching for that acentic supplimentation you could go with Ushio 250 10KK and PC acentics. Hard to help when we don't know what you want to keep.

I say use that extra money to buy a 50gal long :lol: . Then save up for a nice 250watt HQI/DE pendant like the ReefOptix III or maybe the PFO Mini-pendant.

-Erik

[Condiman]

not everyone in the world has that much extra cash to spend but I wish I could

[blackangler]

go with the 175. 14k.

u should be able to keep some sps, all lps, all sofites, and some types of clams, the 70 watt is usless in my opinion.

[Condiman]

thanks all I will get the 175 then

[H3R0]

i have two ewasaki 150watt mh and 100 watts of supplement t5 lighting and it all cost under $300

[Charles Poole]

I'm with Blackangler on this one. I run 1 x 175 watt 14000k MH ( 6" above the water) on my 20 gallon tank. This tank has a ?Heteractis malu? anemone ( with a pair of Amphiprion sandaconis (Orange skunk clowns)) , softies and SPS corals. The coloration of the SPS (staghorn acro.) is Brown, but it was under the 960 watts of VHO in my 125 gallon. Growth is more rapid, under the MH but the colors are nicer under the VHO. It does grow quite rapidly under the VHO as well... My batteries are dead on my camera, but let me check some CD's, and see if I can find a couple pics to help illustrate this.

Above all, it is up to you to decide what you want. If you want color, growth ( which means dosing and testing a bit more often), or just maximum growth. I saw good example of all of these conditions listed above.

Don't worry about the clowns in the 20 gallon. I know they grow in excess of 5+ inches. They are here for a couple more weeks, then go into their new Mansion ( a Perfecto E75 gallon ). They are 1" and 1.5" in length respectfully, so they are still small in the 20 gal. :)

[Condiman]

I would like the best color and growth I can get so I was thinking if I could trade my 4 55 watt PC for maybe a 200 MH for my acintics I will use my 2 65 watt PC. What should my distance be from the water to the MH bulb?

[Telco Guy]

What should my distance be from the water to the MH bulb?
It is recommended that it be 8", but I've heard some go with 6". They are very hot, so you don't want any water to ever splash on them.

[H3R0]

mine are ten

[mjc]

I'm not sure if there's any hardened recommendations but folks have kept it in the 6 to 12"and higher range. If your tank has a cover, some of the lighting may become diffused. I have mine set at 16" and it simplifies service and maintenance.

[Condiman]

Ill probably go 8 or so to be on the safe side