I have a 20H and I'm currently running the 2x65W PC, one 10k and one actinic.
However, I'd like to start keeping clams. I think they're absolutely gorgeous. So, with all the OT I'm doing this month (stupid Chicago trials), I'm going to have lots of extra cash, so I was thinking of going MH.
Ideally, I'd like to get a hanging pendant. Right now I keep my tank at about 81-82 degrees, because the PC lights heat up the water to that temp...so if I tried to keep it lower, it would fluctuate each day and night, and I didn't want to stress my fish/coral with that.
So if I went hanging pendant, I could keep it off the water a bit and therefore be able to keep my water temp at a more constant 78.
Two questions...more may come later.
First, what wattage should I get for my tank? If I wanted to hang the pendant about 8-10" over the tank, would 150W be strong enough for clams at the bottom of a 20H? Would 175W work? Is 250W too strong?
Also, I have a fully glass hood for the tank. Is it OK to have that on there with a pendant hanging that far up? I have a purple firefish and from what I've read, they're jumpers...so I need to keep my tank covered at all times.
Thanks for all your help.
However, I'd like to start keeping clams. I think they're absolutely gorgeous. So, with all the OT I'm doing this month (stupid Chicago trials), I'm going to have lots of extra cash, so I was thinking of going MH.
Ideally, I'd like to get a hanging pendant. Right now I keep my tank at about 81-82 degrees, because the PC lights heat up the water to that temp...so if I tried to keep it lower, it would fluctuate each day and night, and I didn't want to stress my fish/coral with that.
So if I went hanging pendant, I could keep it off the water a bit and therefore be able to keep my water temp at a more constant 78.
Two questions...more may come later.
First, what wattage should I get for my tank? If I wanted to hang the pendant about 8-10" over the tank, would 150W be strong enough for clams at the bottom of a 20H? Would 175W work? Is 250W too strong?
Also, I have a fully glass hood for the tank. Is it OK to have that on there with a pendant hanging that far up? I have a purple firefish and from what I've read, they're jumpers...so I need to keep my tank covered at all times.
Thanks for all your help.