Hi Everyone,
I'm getting back into the hobby after an absence of about five years. I ended up losing everything in my first reef tank due to an extended power outage following an ice storm. It was pretty discouraging, but now I've moved someplace that doesn't have ice storms and invested in a generator for my house, so I'm getting back into reefkeeping.
Anyway...
I'm deciding between a 75 and a 90 gallon tank. I know bigger is better, and the only thing that is even allowing me to consider the 75 is the type of lighting I may use. I've gotten a very good price on a furniture setup that matches my living room furniture, which includes a canopy:
http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/ ... series.htm
I am considering MH lighting, however am somewhat concerned about heat dispersement with the canopy over the light strip. I keep my home around 77-78 degrees during the hot summers here in Florida and am concerned that the MH lights may heat the tank to the point of requiring use of a chiller, which I am not inclined to buy. Additionally, I wouldn't want the unit to overheat and malfunction and/or catch fire.
That concern has prompted me to consider using T5 lighting instead. This is why I am torn between the 75 and 90 gallon tank. I'm worried that the T5 lighting may not be enough for a tank that is 24" deep (90). I do not plan on keeping clams or SPS, but probably will keep some LPS at some point. I've seen lots of mixed reviews about the power of the T5 bulbs. While I definitely would not place a piece of tongue coral on the bottom of a 90 gallon tank lighted by T5 bulbs, I would also like to believe I could place soft corals on the sand bed without being concerned about lighting.
I am leaning toward a 90 gallon system with the T5 lighting and simply placing the corals that require the most light higher in the tank. Do you agree that this is the best option, or do you think my heat concerns about the MH unit is unwarranted and MH would be the best lighting choice?
I'm getting back into the hobby after an absence of about five years. I ended up losing everything in my first reef tank due to an extended power outage following an ice storm. It was pretty discouraging, but now I've moved someplace that doesn't have ice storms and invested in a generator for my house, so I'm getting back into reefkeeping.
Anyway...
I'm deciding between a 75 and a 90 gallon tank. I know bigger is better, and the only thing that is even allowing me to consider the 75 is the type of lighting I may use. I've gotten a very good price on a furniture setup that matches my living room furniture, which includes a canopy:
http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/ ... series.htm
I am considering MH lighting, however am somewhat concerned about heat dispersement with the canopy over the light strip. I keep my home around 77-78 degrees during the hot summers here in Florida and am concerned that the MH lights may heat the tank to the point of requiring use of a chiller, which I am not inclined to buy. Additionally, I wouldn't want the unit to overheat and malfunction and/or catch fire.
That concern has prompted me to consider using T5 lighting instead. This is why I am torn between the 75 and 90 gallon tank. I'm worried that the T5 lighting may not be enough for a tank that is 24" deep (90). I do not plan on keeping clams or SPS, but probably will keep some LPS at some point. I've seen lots of mixed reviews about the power of the T5 bulbs. While I definitely would not place a piece of tongue coral on the bottom of a 90 gallon tank lighted by T5 bulbs, I would also like to believe I could place soft corals on the sand bed without being concerned about lighting.
I am leaning toward a 90 gallon system with the T5 lighting and simply placing the corals that require the most light higher in the tank. Do you agree that this is the best option, or do you think my heat concerns about the MH unit is unwarranted and MH would be the best lighting choice?
