Need help with lighting options

[Oreo0313]

Hello all,

First, I'd like to say how much of a help this forum has been in establishing my first tank. I knew this hobby would be costly and time-consuming, but I had no idea there were so many options for nearly every aspect of the hobby. That said, I'm facing yet another choice (hopefully my last for a while). I need a new light set-up for my 90g bowfront. The tank is nearing the end of its cycling phase, and I was researching what types of coral I'd like to put in the tank eventually, only to find in my search that my current lights (jbj formossa 2 pc at 54w?) is woefully inadequate. I would like the ability to keep anemones, sps and lps coral species. I've seen rules about watts-per-gallon and such, but I don't want to purchase a 300 watt or so setups just to find out that it too is not enough power. I also don't really care for bells and whistles. I just want the light, and of course a decent product that will last. I came across this fixture: http://www.fishneedit.com/2-x-150w-mhl-with-2-x-2bulbs-4ft-2150224.html It looks like something from StarTrek, but I can live with it. Will it be enough power, or will I need more? Any other recommendations?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Lighting is a very personal decision and unfortunately one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in this hobby.
We can all recommend ballast and bulb combinations or ready made fixtures but my best advice to you is get out and look at as many possible lighting combinations as you possible can. You may or may not like the coloration I have. You may like blue while I like white or even purple tint. I prefer single end metal halides with VHO for the actinic supplement if needed while others will recommend all T5 or HQI type metal halides. Then you get into the individual ballasts and bulbs and every combination of each. A bulb will not show the same coloration on different ballasts, nor will it provide the same PAR or intensity.
Then you get into reflectors and which is the most efficient and thats subject in itself.

If you are the least bit handy and have a few tools you might consider building a canopy and doing a DIY light system, you will save a ton of money over buying a quality fixture and you can choose your bulbs, ballasts and reflectors yourself to suit your tastes. I have one tank with a fixture on legs and one with an enclosed canopy I built and I hate the reflection of light into the room of the fixture, it can get irritating if you are trying to watch television or a movie.

A good place to look at lighting, both ready made and DIY is www.hellolights.com . They carry about everything you could possibly want. Take a day and visit as many LFS and friends or reef club members tanks and get an idea of what you want be it T5, VHO, MH, LED, PC a combination of these or whatever. There is no substitute for looking at it yourself as photos never do lighting justice and what I or anyone else recommends may not suit your tastes.

On personal observation, I would not get a MH in 150 watts, go with 250 watts, either single end (Mogul) or HQI (double end) style. you will find many more choices of bulbs in both, that includes brands and K ratings. Many of the MH bulbs today do not need any actinic supplementation to make the colors pop or stand out, especially those in the 12 to 20K range. Popular choices seem to be Radium and Phoenix as well as XM, Ushio, Reeflux and Coralvue to name a few.

 

[Anonymous]

Coming from the generation of VHOs and Metal Halide, and later T5, I casution you about their use. The heat and amount of light wasted is enormous. I am currently switching to LEDs, which use far less energy and heat than the previously stated lighting. Of course the initial costs are higher, but replacement costs and energy savings will eat this up fast. Mine will pay for themselves in 2 years.

 

[Oreo0313]

While I consider myself handy, the subject of lighting is beyond my expertise. I know LED is the way to go. I was looking into this as a DIY project, but quickly was overwhelmed. There are tons of people selling LED panels on ebay, though something tells me that their cheap price means they won't work as advertised. Therefore, I think I'm going to go with t5HO. Based on reviews, I've narrowed it down to a Catalina 8x54 watt unit http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product ... ts_id=1447 and a tek light http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalo ... ts_id=6229

I would like to get an ATI, but the cost is nearly double the Catalina's. I'm leaning toward the Catalinas, as they have great reviews, come with a 5 year ballast warranty, decent bulbs, will fit on my tank (13 inches wide), and it is also $100 less. My tank is 24" deep. I figure that if I go with an 8 bulb HO fixture, I'd be able to keeps sps near the top of the tank and soft coral near the bottom.

Any thoughts? Your opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Calculate bulb replacement and energy consumption and you will make your money back in LEDs in no time. No need to DIY LEDs. The ones available are not overly expensive. AI, reefbrite, Ecoxotic, and Maxspect are all well made products.