Minimum Par for 30" tank

[Hop]

I have to say that researching lighting gives me a headache:) So basically I'm trying to make a final decision on lighting my 30" deep tank and am curious what the minimum par recommendation would be to ensure that I could grow SPS toward the bottom?

Thanks in advance... And if it helps I'm leaning toward 400 watt 20k MH, just bouncing bulb/ballast combos off of sanja's site.

[mile sq. reefer]

Try a 400w 14k. It'll give you a crisp blue/white look and more par. Check Sanjays site for the sest combo.

[nyvp]

Ya i would say either 14k-20k depending on what color you like

[Hop]

Thanks for the suggestion, but could someone please still recommend a minimum par for a 30" deep tank. It's taken me months to get to this point researching lights and the one thing I could never find was the par recommendation:)

[gabe3d]

I would be interested to know as well. I think the question at the end of the day is how much par does a SPS need when 27'' of water is above it. Lets hope somebody knows.

I also have a 30'' tall tank and was contemplating on upgrading to 400W but came to the decision to stay with 250 and add T5 supplementation. I think the color is going to be close same goes for the PAR based on Sanjay's site and what i've visually seen. Also cheaper operation and replacement cost. You also have that option of doing actinics/blue only an hour prior and after the MH turns on for looks and nice photo oppurtunities. :)

[Hop]

Little Sunday bump for the weekend lighting experts:D

[tkeracer619]

Go with XM 20K 400W in luminarcs. I don't own XM20Ks yet but will. If I was to do a 30" it would be 400W. My 500 is going to be 22" so ill probably stay with my 250s and just add 2 more + the luminarcs.

[Hop]

On icecap ballasts? So going for a par of about 90 would be a good number to shoot for? Thanks:)