lighting help for a 90 gal

[zenfish]

40" X 18"

90 gal

reef tank

what kind of lighting would you recomend for this tank: t5's wanted. any ideas? I would rather buy then build but PM me if you do build lights.

 

[Deanos]

What type of coral do you plan on keeping in your reef tank?

 

[DEEPWATER]

Whats up Zen

I can get you 48" T5 4 bulbs if you like ,new in the box,Made from sunlight supply ,or anyother brand you want ,LMK Via pm or call me


Also ,if youare doing SPS T5 will not be good for you

Ronen

 

[zenfish]

What type of coral do you plan on keeping in your reef tank?

toughest, some acroporas

Im thinking 430-450 watts total

 

[DEEPWATER]

toughest, some acroporas

Im thinking 430-450 watts total

I would do 2x 250w MH with actinics :wink1:

 

[zenfish]

forget the acros

 

[DEEPWATER]

forget the acros

If you are keeping softie with a few Acros ,T5 should be fine.


But if you are going SPS MH would be the way to go

 

[fritz]

But if you are going SPS MH would be the way to go

That's really not true. Many, many people keep SPS tanks with T5s. You can go with T5 or with MH either one will work great. They each have their benefits and downsides. For example, Par at the bottom of your tank will be better with T5s than with dual 175 watt MHs. The spread of T5s is even over your entire tank whereas MH Par is focussed right under the bulb. MH gives the "shimmer effect" and is proven technology. MH will heat your tank and you need to figure out how you're going to deal with that (you may not need to).

PLus many many other ups and downs for both of them. Your best bet is to read everything you can on both setups and figure out which one works better for you. I've seen some insane color and growth in some T5 tanks and everyone's seen what MH can do. Apples and Oranges....

Here's an MH thread from RC advising on good ballast and bulb combos for the MH route:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=624185
MH often needs actinic supplimentation to achieve a natural color balance. Some people like a "blue-er" look and just pick a higher k temp MH bulb and don't use actinics.

Here's a T5 thread from RC that has TONS of info on T5s.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=809797
I've read a lot lately on "too much light?" with T5s. 4 overdriven bulbs would be fine for a 90 gallon tank IMO. Some people use 6 but 8 would be too many. You get into a law of diminutive averages once you go over 6 in a tank that size. 4 overdriven bulbs would be plenty or 6 regular.

I'd also like to add that for what you're looking to grow 220 Watts of VHO could do it if you kept them all up high.

 

[tomzpc]

If you end up going with a T-5 Tek light than you'll want the 6 or 8 bulb units, especially if you plan to keep acros. If you decide to go MH then I'd consider a Maristar fixture with two 250 watt hqi and supplemental T-5.

 

[DEEPWATER]

That's really not true. Many, many people keep SPS tanks with T5s. You can go with T5 or with MH either one will work great. They each have their benefits and downsides. For example, Par at the bottom of your tank will be better with T5s than with dual 175 watt MHs. The spread of T5s is even over your entire tank whereas MH Par is focussed right under the bulb. MH gives the "shimmer effect" and is proven technology. MH will heat your tank and you need to figure out how you're going to deal with that (you may not need to).

PLus many many other ups and downs for both of them. Your best bet is to read everything you can on both setups and figure out which one works better for you. I've seen some insane color and growth in some T5 tanks and everyone's seen what MH can do. Apples and Oranges....

Here's an MH thread from RC advising on good ballast and bulb combos for the MH route:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=624185
MH often needs actinic supplimentation to achieve a natural color balance. Some people like a "blue-er" look and just pick a higher k temp MH bulb and don't use actinics.

Here's a T5 thread from RC that has TONS of info on T5s.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=809797
I've read a lot lately on "too much light?" with T5s. 4 overdriven bulbs would be fine for a 90 gallon tank IMO. Some people use 6 but 8 would be too many. You get into a law of diminutive averages once you go over 6 in a tank that size. 4 overdriven bulbs would be plenty or 6 regular.

I'd also like to add that for what you're looking to grow 220 Watts of VHO could do it if you kept them all up high.

Fritz ,Yes you can sps with T5
But as tom stated you will need 6 to 8 bulbs also with that many bulbs you will have the same wattage and heat going into the tank ,T5 do
give out heat and the more bulbs the more heat and wattage

So why not just go the MH from the get go.I use T5 on my tanks,

the light go on at 12pm and shut off at 9pm ,inbetween those hrs my tanks stay at a steady 77.6 when my T5 turn on ,it gos right up to 80 if i dont keep the fan on the sump ..JMO

 

[joseney21]

t5 last longer, and are hot but not as hot as MH....i would go with MH myself though, after having t5s, and would figure out a way to deal with the heat issues.

 

[SlamaJama]

wtg fred, great info