Lighting questions for 90gal RR

[jmwooden]

Hi All:

New to salt water and figuring out my lighting like the other postings.

I have a 90 gal RR that is 48Lx18Wx24H. I would like to have in the tank fish, live rock, and soft corals. Not interested in hard corals.

-2 questions-

1. What is the best lighting option for me: compaq flourescents, VHOs, or metal halides?

2. Some of the lighting fixtures I am looking at (48" Coralife 260W Lunar Aqualight, Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights) state that they are only to be used over a COVERED aquarium only. However, I am trying to avoid a glass lid because I heard it was better for a salt water tank to allow max gas exchange. Is this true?

thanks,
Jason

 

[Reefdaddy1]

1. Any of the lighting will do the job well for soft and leathers like you wanna keep, MH would be overkill but still owrk.

2. Gas exchange is Something to consider. However placing light driectly on the tank is not what you would be doing. It would up 2-4 inches with stands, so that would not be an issue anyway.

 

[jmwooden]

Bob,

Would a glass lid over the tank (per Coralifes and Nova Extreme specifications) severely impact gas exchange? I would prefer to run the tank without a lid to help keep it cool.

thanks.

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Keep It open, Its best, Utilize egg crate to cover openings, Temp, Gas exchange and all of it will be better in the long run.

 

[jmwooden]

Keep It open, Its best, Utilize egg crate to cover openings, Temp, Gas exchange and all of it will be better in the long run.

Will this be bad for the light fixtures since they will only be 2-4 inches above? Also, I wonder if I would void my warranty?

 

[mark peacock]

Ok what watts do you think i would need for an 100g 5ftx18inx18in for softs and a few stagghorns

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Jason- No it would not void. They sell the stands for those units so they will set about 2-4 in off the water. Every manufacturer sells them so it is part of how they work.

Mark- 5 to 6 VHO at 60 in long Should do it, Or T5 with proper reflector and Ice Cap 660 ballast, The same number. or maybe up to 8. Depends on the staggs. but they would be closer to the top.

 

[mark peacock]

So if i had 6x54 watt t5s with reflectors would this be enough. my tank is ok at the moment with 180 watts around 40000k just wanted to see if i could get more light in my tank without making major inpact, everything in my tank is spot on.

 

[jmwooden]

Jason- No it would not void. They sell the stands for those units so they will set about 2-4 in off the water. Every manufacturer sells them so it is part of how they work.

Mark- 5 to 6 VHO at 60 in long Should do it, Or T5 with proper reflector and Ice Cap 660 ballast, The same number. or maybe up to 8. Depends on the staggs. but they would be closer to the top.

Bob,

thanks for the clarification. I guess the only thing I am wondering about at this point is why they specify the light fixtures are to only be used over a covered tank. Maybe its for legal or safety reasons?

It sounds like folks are comfortable mounting these things over the tank without the glass lid??

 

[Krish]

thanks for the clarification. I guess the only thing I am wondering about at this point is why they specify the light fixtures are to only be used over a covered tank. Maybe its for legal or safety reasons?

I think it is mostly to cover their butts I've had tons of setups that say not to use over open water and I did without any problems. I guess your main concern will be in getting bulbs wet etc. Other than that, I think Bob has you well on your way. Good luck!