MH/VHO/PC/HQI or WHAT?

[Blue]

Hi i have been out of the hobby for about a year now i dontknow what is going on as far as lighting so i thought i would get yalls opinons on lighting my new tank the tank is 24Lx21.5Hx24D I want a soft/LPS tank i dont want any SPS corals maybe a clam or two eventually so what do yall think would be the best lighting its going in the wall so i have ten inches from the top of the tank to the shelf above it .
Thanks,
Blue

[Chuck S]

Nate,

I would go with VHO to light your tank. Halides are not necessary as you do not wish to keep SPS corals. I would watch placement of clams when using VHO lighting though. With the depth of your tank you could place 8 24inch VHO lamps over top of that tank from front to back. These lamps are 75watts a peice. That would be roughly 600watts over that tank. You could get by with 6 lamps minimum.

[Adrian]

Like Chuck said metal halides are not mandatory since you do not wish to keep sps, but one 175 watt MH in combination with a pair of VHOs would give you plenty of light for your LPS, softies, and a couple of sp. of clams. It would also be cheaper to replace three bulbs versus six to eight as well and you will see much better results in clams with MH for sure. HTH