MH Lighting Upgrade for 90 Gallon Tank with 7 Inch DSB: 150W or 250W

[WhiteCloud]

I am going to upgrade my current lighting to Metal Halide. I currently have 260W of 10,000K PC and 80W of Normal Florescent Actinics for a total of 340W (or 3.8 Watts/Gallon).

I currently only have softies but would like to get some LPS, and a few SPS, and perhaps a clam, so I need a lighting upgrade. Most people are suggesting 250W for a 90 gallon for adequate penetration of 24 inches depth of water.

My concern is that I have 7 inch Deep Sandbed, thus only having 17 inches of water to penetrate. I also want to keep my softies and not burn them.

I am going to get the 48" Current Outer Orbit light, but I am not sure if I should go with the 150W or the 250W.

The 150W x 2 gives me 516 Watts (or 5.7 watts per gallon)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280056973191

The 250W x 2 gives me 716 Watts (or 8 Watts per gallon)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280081158903

Just wondering what would be recommended in my case.

Thanks for the help!

[gdm42001]

I would go with the 250 watt, save yourself another upgrade next year. That is where I am now, 2x150 watt on a 95 gallon with 5 inches of sand and 20 inches from the lights to the bottom. I plan on upgrading in the next few months to 2x250 watt.
When I do this, I plan on placing my hood on 2x6 lumber, stood on end, then after a month, switching them out for 2x4's, and after that laying the 2x4's on their sides and finally removing them.
I did this when I first installed the 150's and did not cook anything.

[GSMguy]

250

[WhiteCloud]

I was leaning towards the 250W too! Thanks for help!