Not-So nano lighting

[BKtomodachi]

What would you guys recommend that I do for my nano-reef lighting.

5 gallon with sump/fuge

I will have 175 watts of MH, but I want to know what Kelvin I should get. I want a crocea and a maxima clam, and maybe some montis, and of course zoos, maybe a hammer and the usual candy cane, etc.

I have 2 9W actinics that I could supplement with, but I was thinking of just going with 20,000K XM. Does anyone have pics of 20,000K XM running? I could also do 10,000K and do what I can with my pc actinics. So?

[mobius9oo]

You want all that over a 5 gallon? If you have the money for those lights....why not get a tank a little bit bigger. Especially if you want clams. You are going to run outta room pretty damn quickly in that 5.

[K9]

I'd spend a measly $20 and buy a 20g long tank at least. That light would def be enough for clams over a 20g tank.

[Carl_in_Florida]

Though there are some who would argue I would be real hesitant to put 175 over 5g. 70 at a distance would be more than enough.

[SeaSide]

I would be hesitant to put 175 over 5G too.
True, The more light the better. But in this case, it sound like waste of light and money. 70w Mh is just fine for clam at 5G, 175w is good for 20G. IMO.

10000K bulbs are usually very white. Some of them has little bit of yellow tint, some of them has blue tint thou.... mostly white.
20000K is def blue like blue PC bulb. 14000K has nice color in between. The choice is yours.

[luvtolean]

You'd better have a very good way of controlling temps with that much light over a 5gal.

[BKtomodachi]

Well this is very temporary, I am going to bew using the 5 as a sump for my new 15 or 20 gallon. With the right distance, I figured it would be ok, but that would waste a lot of light, I know! But I am really waiting and doing this in steps as I upgrade, and the lights was my biggest purchase, as the coralife fixture that I have right now wont cut it, its barely cutting in now! Maybe I will just keep the pc's on until I get the new tank. But my real question was not whether you liked the fact that I was doing this, but whether you think that 10,000K is to yellow, would I need more that 9W of actinic supplement if I did that?

Also what are your opinions of 20,000K XM's, and would a little pc 10,000K make it not so blue? I'm just looking for thoughts here. The reason I am upgrading after my tank is only 2 months old is becuase I didnt think! For example I would now like a medium DSB, a square GLASS tank, vs. curved acrylic, and a more finished look, and also maybe some montporia digita, etc. Is there a best light for them (between 10,000K or 20,000K I mean)? Thanks.