help please- viper k2 70w or 150w???

[newbie2nano]

I am setting up a 10g tank and have decided on a jbj viper k2 mh light. I am now trying to decide if I should use a 70w or 150w. I might want some sps or a clam at some point but my main concern for now is just having a bright tank with a nice shimmer effect. Will the 70W suffice??

Thanks in advance!

 

[davenia7]

A little overkill but with those options and the want for a clam... 70 prolly wouldn't be enough. Watch out though... a 150 will likely bleach some softies. So, I would recommend starting everything on the floor of the tank and then moving it up.

 

[newbie2nano]

got the 70w already. I love it, seems really bright and lights the tank up well. Shimmer effect is awesome. I have been told that a clam would be fine at the top of the tank. Any contradicting or supporting experiences with this???

One other question, is a mini cycle normal upon adding a new sand bed? I had some old live rock from my other tank and some sand I stole from it already, and I used water from my other tank. Then I added another layer of new live sand and just found out my nitrates are really high- 80ppm. Is this normal?? How long will it take to stabilize? Advice?

Thanks!