175 or 250W over my 30g?

[dmbfreek]

I have a 30g tank, dims are 24W X 18D X 15H and I will be keeping mostly softies, LPS, and some clams.
My question is what wattage of MH should I go with? 175 or 250?
I'm a little concerned about heat issues with the 250 but the cost is just a little more than the 175.
What would you do?
The retro would be set up in a hood.
Thanks!

 

[mfinn]

Go with a 14k 250. You will love the light, so will you corals.

 

[dmbfreek]

You don't think that 250 will be too much for softies?

 

[mfinn]

I use 250 watt mh on my zoanthids and my softy tank.

 

[JPG@CFI]

Go with a 250 and never look back! If you go to a bigger tank, you will have the 250 to carry over. Buy the best and cry once, I say! Jason

 

[roscoe]

Go with a 250 and never look back! If you go to a bigger tank, you will have the 250 to carry over. Buy the best and cry once, I say! Jason

that is so true!!!!!

 

[BobinCovington]

I have a 175watt and 2 T5 actinics over my 29 tank. It does ok for softies, but SPS have too little light to really thrive. My new tank is a 70 gallon and will have 2 - 250s and 4 T5 bulbs. Buy smart, buy the best the first time. I keep learning that lesson over and over (skimmers, lights, tanks, etc). Have fun with it and good luck

 

[dmbfreek]

Thanks for the advice guys. It sounds like the 250 wins the vote.

 

[dmbfreek]

another questions, What brand between these two
XM 20K
or
Phoenix 14K
or what would you suggest for decent coral growth and good on the eye?
Thanks!

 

[mfinn]

Are you going to use single ended or double ended bulbs?
The only Phoenix bulbs I've seen advertised were double ended.

 

[dmbfreek]

DE bulb is the way I was wanting to go.

 

[spectra]

I am running the Pheonix 14K in a 250 form over my Oceanic 30 right now. Love the color and the corals seem to like it also. At first I thought it might be to much but now feel alot different about it

 

[dmbfreek]

Thanks guys! I ended up buying a 250W AquaMedic Ocean light with a Phoenix 14K bulb.