Help me upgrade my lighting

[Chaser]

Hi All,

I've been running my 40gal for about a year and want to get into clams and SPS. My tank is 36" long and the lights would be 20" from the DSB.

My question is, how many and what spectrum MH can I do without creating a massivbe amount of evaporation? I currently run 3 96w pc with a fan. My temp fluctuates 2-3degrees and I lose 1.5-2l per day.

From the recent discussion of 10k vs 6.5k, I would lean towards 10k, since I haven't too much room for high groth rates.

Whatcha think?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Anonymous]

Use one 175 or 250w MH and use the PCs as an actinic accent. Put them 12 inches from the surface. No matter what you do,especially if you are increasing wattage,you evaporation rate will increase. If you slow the evaporation rate you will have a temp increase. It is the evap that is cooling the tank.