Advice on lighting

[cmn3]

ok moving up from my little 12g nano got the skimmer figured out. new tank is a 45g lots of lighting options and found somthing I like but not sure if its overkill tank is 36x12x24 and this is the lite I want to go with

Hamilton Technology Metal Halide Retrofits, 1x250W 6500K, 36 inch One 250 watt 6500K mogul base metal halide bulb
Two 96 watt compact fluorescent actinic bulbs
Dimensions: 36" x 9" x 5" the have one thats 175w but with the depth of this tank im kind of thinking that the 250w would be better but not sure

 

[jrgilles]

I have 2X250 on my starndard 75, which is 18" X 18" X 48", as well as 4 96W CF's.

I think putting 6500k on your halides might lead to some crazy algae issues. Would also be pretty yellow colored light. might want to do 10k instead. I'm currently running 10k but might try out 14ks at some point.

Your tank is 18" deep or 24" deep?

 

[cmn3]

the tank is 24" deep. so 6500k not such a good idea