metal halide question

[j_beau_13]

im setting up a 75 gallon with mostly LPSs and Softies...would like to also keep clams and a couple SPSs...my question is if two 250 watt lamps would be too much for the LPSs and softies...and if so should i get the 175 watts or the 150s?

[kerr]

I have a 90 gal. with two 175watts and two 110vho's with no trouble and I think the 75 gal. is a touch shortter. I keep softies,lps,and clams in my 90

[SaltyMember]

I have a 65 gallon mixed reef with 2-250wt 14k MHs. I originally was going to go with 175s, but the price difference was so small that I opted for the 250s. I do have to be careful acclimating some of the lower light corals to the lights. My red open brain (Trach) must be kept in a shaded area of the tank otherwise it stresses and fades. But, most corals adjust well.
I don't have any clams yet but I want to try one soon. The clams will appreciate the lighting.

I think you would be fine with the 175s but for the price difference you may want to get the 250s in case you upgrade to a larger tank in the future.
JMO

[gflat65]

Posted last night, but for some reason, every post I made last night never made it through...

I run three 250W DE's over a 125 and keep a nice mix of everything. It is ~65% sps, ~20% lps, and ~15% softie. You have to watch them to make sure they aren't getting too much light, but I have had no major issues with this much lighting (also run VHO supplementation). I've got LPS through the lower to upper middle sections, softies mixed throughout (primarily below the mid section, though a number of zoas don't seem to mind higher light), and the sps are primarily along the upper section of the rock work.

[Gundo5000]

175 or 250