150W HQI or 250W HQI?

Hi!
Got a 35x19x18(high) tank.
Will 1x150W HQI be enough or better to have 1x250 if I want clams?
Both come with 2x24W Dulux blue.
What do u think about it?
Thanks!

 

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I'd say 250 on a 50 gallon tank. It will give you the flexibility to have clams, stonies, whatever down the road.

A 150 would work, but you'd have to keep a lot of stuff in the hotspot from the light, the stuff on the edges may suffer.

But if you just have some softies, it would be fine and you could put the clam near the top. There are some clams that do better on sand and some that can go on rocks, you'd want the ones that do well on the rocks.


Thanks for joining!

 

Thanks a lot for your answer.
I'll go for the 250 and 2 dulux. ;D
This forum is great!

 

No problem, glad you like the place!

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Keep us posted...

 

Speaking of clams are there any you could keep under compact fluorescents? Maybe if you built up your live rock and had them right under the light? If you use metal halide you pretty much have to use a chiller also don't you?

 

On my hex I have a PC fixture with a 10k daylight and a actinic bulb in it. I think you are right David, I bet you could keep a clam right under the light. As for which type, here is a good link that will help from an old fish guru, Albert Thiel:

http://www.fishdomain.com/article_clamplacement.shtml

On your halide question, no you don't always need a chiller,  most of the time fans will work. Of course, open top tanks work well.

Check out my old light setup here, I used a 'c-stand':

http://www.3reef.com/myreef.htm

 

My tank is open top, so I guess heat will not be a problem. Lucky me 8)

 

Cool. FYI: General rule of thumb is 8" - 12" above the water surface.