For 2' deep 175w is good enough unless you have clams. I would say 250w is ample. Any deeper and you will definitely need 250w maybe even up to 400w if you have 30-36" deep.
sps and clams require more intense lighting probably at least 5500k to 10000k that will be mostly white. 12000k to 20000k will get progressively more blue.
Softies, especially mushrooms can tolerate, sometimes even prefer, lower lighting levels.
Before you purchase the lighting I would suggest that you search this site as there are numerous threads that i am sure will have the answers you are looking for.
These are just my opinions and you should wait to hear from more knowledgable people here before you make your final decisions.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Rico's Reef - Born 07/15/2006 - 75 gallon reef, 29 gallon sump/fuge
Polly's Ocean - Born 11/24/2007 - 10 gallon mini reef
Rico's Moneypit - Born???(coming soon) - 240 gallon mixed reef
|