Help Me With Lighting
 

What would you run on a 7' foot long 30" deep tank?

I was bouncing back and forth between 250w HQI and 400w HQI. I can only find 20k bulbs for the 400w HQI though...

30" is deep.

There is more than 20K around for 400W (fr quick google)

J&L has a few from 5500 up to 20k

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ategory_ID=197

Scott

400 W HQI It is.. Then there won't be a need for upgrades later!

Yup, 400W for sure due to the 30" depth. Unless you mean 30" wide...

The 7 foot is a bit challenging. You'll probably end up with a DIY.

How wide is the tank? Are you keeping SPS? Assuming you are, and that you're wanting to achieve the highest PAR possible...

How many lights do you plan on using? 3 or 4? If you only want to go with 3 lights I would suggest you use Lumenarc III reflectors. The Lumenarc III reflectors are the best reflectors on the market for evenly spreading the light up to 30"x30" where a typical reflector will only spread light up to 24"x24".

I would suggest 400w PFO HQI ballasts running Ushio mogul bulbs. This particular combination puts out ridiculously high PAR. The 400w will penetrate the 30" depth PROVIDED you keep your water clarity optimal...running carbon would be a good idea.

HQI bulbs don't spread light as well as mogul does, and there is very little bulb choice for 400w HQIs.

Concider a chiller with 400W though.