Lighting for a 180?

[gholtmeyer]

I am trying to decide on how to light my standard 180. I want a mixed reef so sps, lps, leathers, etc. I can not afford LED's so that is out of the question. I was thinking that I would need three 400w mh. But I heard that some grow sps with three 250's with no problems. Also, I thought that I saw a tank on here that had a mix of 400 and 250 mh. So for all of you who had or have a 180 and are using MH, what you got? Pics of a tank with 400 and 250 MH?

 

[gholtmeyer]

anyone?

 

[Jim]

I have a 6' tank and I'm running 3 250w 14k mh's and also 4 VHO's for actinics which is plenty of light.

 

[gholtmeyer]

I have a 6' tank and I'm running 3 250w 14k mh's and also 4 VHO's for actinics which is plenty of light.

and you are keeping sps with no problems? Also, do you find that you need to keep your sps towards the top of the tank to get proper color and growth?

 

[Jim]

I have mostly sps and they are from 1/4 of the way up to close to the top. They are all doing pretty well. My tank is 27" deep and the 180 is 24" (I think) I also have clams on the sand bed that are doing great.