Lighting, If money was no object

[tylert]

What would be the best lighting for my 90 gallon?
48Lx24Tallx18D I want to have an assortment of SPS, LPS, Clams, Anemones and softies. I have a hood thats only about 8" or 9" off the tank. I don't want to buy a chiller, but my house runs cold and I'll buy the necessary fans. T5's or Halides? or both? Bulb temp, configuration, brand, ballasts etc. I want colors that POP! As well as good growth. Tell me your thoughts.

 

[loohunter]

money being no object i would go with two 400 watt halides, but you dont want a chiller so i would go with 250 watt halides t5 are nice too but your tank is kinda deep

 

[stalefish]

As long as money is NO object then I'd say LED's - no heat, plus they're really, really cool with nice features such as moon phases.

 

[Scooterman]

250's are perfect for a tank 24" deep, two halides & probably 4 T5's for supplementation. I'd probably go with the Ice cap electronic ballast & lumanarc III reflectors & hang them so you can adjust the height off the water, Custom hood of course, with fans blowing across the water surface & two blowing out the heat.

 

[tylert]

what type of bulbs for the t5s? I would probably do 10K for halides, any brand recomendations? Are you saying Ice Cap ballasts all around, for both t5s and mh?

 

[loohunter]

10k halides and strictly actinics for the t5

 

[trido]

250's are perfect for a tank 24" deep, two halides & probably 4 T5's for supplementation. I'd probably go with the Ice cap electronic ballast & lumanarc III reflectors & hang them so you can adjust the height off the water, Custom hood of course, with fans blowing across the water surface & two blowing out the heat.

+1..............

 

[Scooterman]

what type of bulbs for the t5s? I would probably do 10K for halides, any brand recomendations? Are you saying Ice Cap ballasts all around, for both t5s and mh?

I like Reeflux 10 or 12K for looks & T5's either ATI or Giesemann.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/

Ballast for the T5's either Icecap, the sunlight supply ballast.

Also as mentioned I like these LED's by ATI.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/LED_Lighting/AquaIllumination_LED_Light_Systems/

 

[Myteemouse]

yes two 250's 10-14K with 2-4 t-5 true blue for fill
with individual reflectors on the t-5's and GOOD reflectors for MH's

Dual 250 hamilton ballast is what I bought.with two lumen bright reflectors.

 

[loohunter]

yes two 250's 10-14K with 2-4 t-5 true blue for fill
with individual reflectors on the t-5's and GOOD reflectors for MH's

Dual 250 hamilton ballast is what I bought.with two lumen bright reflectors.

those lumen bright's rock

 

[Myteemouse]

I can't wait to hook them up on the new tank!
they are soo pretty. worth the 108 dollars.

 

[loohunter]

I can't wait to hook them up on the new tank!
they are soo pretty. worth the 108 dollars.

108!!!!! my gawd i payed 139 and thought that was a deal they really do work good

 

[tylert]

Do you think I could get away with 2 t5's? most retro fits are made that way with 2 mh's and 2 t5's. like I said, i want to keep the hood. And I think that if I did 4 t5's I would also put a GE 3000K to bring out the red pink and purple, isn't that the point of the t5's, to give you the full spectrum?

 

[tylert]

Also, I don't want to do LEDs because then you cant grow SPS or have clams

 

[stalefish]

I don't think you'll find that LED's are an obstacle to growing SPS or clams. I've kept both under my Solaris LED's - which are a couple of generations back at this point.

LED's are VERY expensive still, but you said don't worry about price

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/review2/view?searchterm=led

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/10/review/view?searchterm=led

 

[cindywhip]

I purchased this light last week it's awesome I love it! the best of both worlds

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+15486&pcatid=15486

 

[danno14]

two lumen bright reflectors.

Adam- did you get the reflectors or the pendants?

 

[Myteemouse]

I thought I ordered the reflectors but the pendants came??
Nice product.

 

[tylert]

mouse, how's that ballasts? do you like the hamilton, had any issues?

 

[danno14]

try part #LT-CVCV-LBLRG for the retrofit reflector, and pass on the pendant deal to someone else