Small prop tank question

[A Reef Scene]

I want to attach a small prop tank( 10 gallon) to my main tank. The question is about lighting, I have a 175 MH reto and a 400 watt MH reto. What would be the best light to use?

[dahenley]

on a 10 gal.... a 70W viper. haha
but seriously, a 175 raised up a bit will work. (the 400 is way too much, especially if you use it, thats a lot of electricity wasted, and added heat you dont need.)

[A Reef Scene]

Thanks for the reply. Will it make a difference that the coral in the main tank is under 400's? I dont want the coral to brown out. Or should I start any frags that I pick up in the prop tank and then move to the main tank.

[mike_cmu04]

The only reason you would need a 400w is if you have a tank that is deeper than 26" or so. Otherwise go with a 250. I always start my corals in the display then frag off a small piece for the frag tank but i know other people do it starting in the frag tank.

[dahenley]

If your using the same bulb as display, and your hooked to main tank water, then you will have the same color. Just position the light so you have the same par value.
So, the 175 can be 8" off the water, 250 would be 12+ and the 400 would be a few feet off the tank.
So you can achieve the same results with less, because you have less water to reduce light and par.

Hope that helps!

[A Reef Scene]

Cool thanks for the help.