Lights for my 90 gal.

[ksommer]

Can anyone tell me what kind of lights I will need for my 90 gallon (48X18X24) to keep all types of corals?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

On a typical 90, a pair of 250 watt MHs would suffice. Add some VHOs or T-5s for color.

 

[ksommer]

Thanks for the speedy reply. Sorry, I do not have any experience with the MH or VHO's or T-5's. I only have 3 - 55 watt power compacts on my 55 gallon. I am upgrading to the 90 gallon. What spectrum of MH, VHO and T-5's should I use? And can you recommend a good light that might fit under my hood system, either retro fit or complete, that would be good.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

For the best coral growth go with 10K. Many prefer a more blue color so go with 14K. The higher the spectrum, the lower the PAR value (penetration of the light) This is one reason to add actinic VHO or T-5s to get more blue and still run the 10K MHs. Retro works well on all lighting and saves money.

 

[ksommer]

Do you know of a particular light that might work well?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

One can buy an all in one hood with both type lights or go retro and buy parts. I have a 4' Hamilton hood for my old 90 that I will be selling. It has two 250 MHs and 2 actinic compact fluorescents. They are not cheap. $850 new and used for half that. I went with components on my 180 with three 250 MHs and four actinic 6' vhos. Went with icecap ballasts to save on heat and make bulbs last longer.

 

[NaH2O]

Lighting is something you really need to do your research on. There are so many different aspects to lighting, and reading reading reading will really help you decide what is best for your system. When talking metal halide you need to decide single ended or double ended. Then you need to decide on a bulb and ballast combination, and on top of all that, if you go single ended, then you need to pick a reflector :shock:. There has been alot of testing on various bulbs, ballasts and reflectors. IMO, JBNY did some outstanding testing on single ended 250W bulbs with various ballasts. There are even photos of what the bulbs look like alone and with supplementation, along with PAR readings of all the bulbs on different ballasts: Cnidarian Reef

Have a peek at the Reeftank Lighting Research page. You can scroll down and see different tests conducted on 250W lighting, and further down is reflector information.

As for T-5s, I think they make a good choice as well, however, you really need to make sure you have individual reflectors for each bulb. I have a friend locally with T-5s over her 90 gallon. She switched out her 250W DEs for the T-5s, and she has mostly softies and LPS with some SPS. I think she has 6 or 8 T-5s. I'll have to ask to make sure. Here are some more links on T-5s:

T-5s vs. MH....What would b ethe ultimate faceoff?
The T-5 Q&A Thread...

Did I muddy the waters for you? Lighting can be pretty confusing, but you really need to think about what you want to keep (along with corals do you want clams?), what your budget is, what bulb color you like, and go from there.

 

[DrHank]

If you need, or want, to add actinics, don't waste your money on T5s. Go with VHO T12s. The generic 65w PC actinic on my 29 gallon puts out more blur than several 54w T5 actinics I've tried.

If I were doing a 90 gal, I'd go with 2 - 25w 10K MH and 2 - T12 VHO actinics.

 

[ecobalance]

I agree with the research comment

First how much do you want to spend,next how bad do you want sps,because in my oppinon that would be the only reason you would need halides[with a few exceptions]like clams,and certain lps and anemones.And last but not least how much time do you have to spend on your aquarium.Ill attach a pic of what one 4x65wt can achieve without the worry's about calicum,and nitrates above 20 ppm,or how damn hot those halides are makeing your water.

 

[ecobalance]

)oops

I mean this

 

[ksommer]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[ksommer]

Thanks for all of the info. I just purchased the Coralife Retro. 2-150 MH, 2-96 PC, 4-Night Glow