lighting question

[Valexia]

ts a six foot tank, and i have these fixtures...

a 400watt MH retro
a 175watt MH with two 55w pc's
a 150watt hqi

if you had these, what would you put on/off and use what for spectrum?

is it possible to put a 10000k 400watt with a 150watt hqi in 20k to balance it out? or will it still look too white.
How am I going to keep the colors looking balanced and still utilize all the lamps/fixtures. Our canopy is half done, still haven't made any decisions of mounting etc.

need advice! I am leaning towards the 400 in the middle with the 150 next to it with a 20k, but not sure thats going to be enough to balance out the 400watt 10k...

I don't mind having darker ends on the tank as i have a mixture of softies with only a few hardy sps (digi, monticap)

I have six clams crocea's, squamosa, and derasas...

There will be lots of fans...so i don't see heat being and issue...any suggestions?

 

[Valexia]

anyone?

 

[wrassefan]

how deep? you can mount the 400 in the middle higher for a wider spread and the 150 hqi is suppose to be like a 250se....175 might not be much light if the tank is deep. Prob mix some 14k bulbs on all except the 175s...I would do 10ks

 

[Valexia]

i like the looks of 10k with actinic supplements...but if i can skip that i will, what do you think having 20k's on the ends and then 10k in the middle, kinda up a bit for a better spread.

Its an 18 inch deep tank, like a 55, and i wanna park that 400 in the middle.
Trying to make it as economical as i can with what i got...

 

[wrassefan]

400 is alot of light for 18"....I would raise it higher than the other 2 in the middle for a wider spread...then you can spread out the other 2...I would still use the400 14k in the middle and adj the sides to get a similar look...jmo

 

[Valexia]

thanks for the ideas! Yes i agree its alot, but my clams will love me. I plan on having it pretty high up too. Aren't 14k's known for a low PAR rating? Would it really be an issue?