What can I keep with this light?

[gatorlover]

I'm currently running a 90 gal fowlr with 2 96 watt power compacts. I'd really like to add bubble tip and maybe some type of corals down the line. I've found a couple of reasonably priced 4 bulb 54watt each fixtures. How far would that get me?

I have a pretty much everything else I feel I should need running on this tank besides the proper lights.

Sump
Skimmer
fuge(live rock and chaeto)
carbon and gfo reactors
plenty of flow(I feel I do anyway)
4 powerheads in display(2 on wavemaker mode on reefkeeper)
auto top off

Thanks in advance for your feedback

[gatorlover]

Just so you guys know, I didn't link to a specific light because I don't think they are a sponser on here. But, the question is more about, is 208 watts enough? Or what could I keep with that?

Thanks for helping a newbie

[ghellin]

The t5s would allow for more than the PCs, Zoas and softies should be fine, LPS maybe higher in the tank and a bta may do just fine at the top.

[bud217]

its not so much the amount of watts the light is, its the usable light which is measured in par. I would advise against a nem until your tank is at least 6 months to a year old. the t5's would be better than pc's. Especially if you get a t5 with individual reflectors. good luck!

[gatorlover]

Thank you everyone for the advice! My tank is just over 2 yrs. old(90 gal. 48") so I figured now would be the time to make the upgrade to better lights. I plan on making the change carefully. Maybe wait a month after whatever light setup I get is installed. I'm considering looking at a 6 bulb fixture if my budget will allow. I'd love to get a ati or tek setup but......would need to save up for one of those. Can't decide if I should wait and save or find a cheaper unit. I did find a 4 bulb t5 4/54watts on fishneedit site that was in my wheel house price wise. I actually have the 30" model on another tank. It's not bad really for the price. Of course the bulbs will need to be upgraded and time will tell whether it's gonna last the long haul. I also found a 6 bulb fixture on a site called reefshops for cheap but......you know what they say.

[greengeco82]

I bought and 48", 4 bulb x 54, t5 setup for around $100. It came with cheap bulbs that I recently replaced after about a 1.5 years. I grew pretty much everything with crap bulbs. My nem carpet nem is huge. If you want sps, then put them higher in the tank. A t5 setup will work. I definitely wouldnt worry about a nem, because he will move to the height that he likes best. I would recommend the six bulb, unless you were going to supplement with a led strip.

[gatorlover]

Originally Posted by greengeco82

I bought and 48", 4 bulb x 54, t5 setup for around $100. It came with cheap bulbs that I recently replaced after about a 1.5 years. I grew pretty much everything with crap bulbs. My nem carpet nem is huge. If you want sps, then put them higher in the tank. A t5 setup will work. I definitely wouldnt worry about a nem, because he will move to the height that he likes best. I would recommend the six bulb, unless you were going to supplement with a led strip.

Thanks for the reply.

Would you be willing to share where you got yours from?

[8-ball]

I would just cruise through the FS threads and wait to score a deal, I see 6-bulb tek fixtures all the time for mid 200's shipped