what lights do I need??

stingers81 · 05/02/2006, 03:54 PM

Hey guys
Im thinking of upgrading my lights for my 90g tank
Its 48" long and 24" deep
I want to keep most of the corals out there

what lights should i get? how many watts should I aim for? I do not want to buy a chiller so heat is an issue plus I'm a student so money is an issue also....

anything I need to keep in mind before I dive in?
cheers!

Nu2SW · 05/02/2006, 04:00 PM

a tank that deep. you probably gonna need to go with T-5 lights

power compacts wouldnt work to well with a tank that deep, and metal halides are hot as hell and expensive as hell also.

www.hellolights.com

www.marineandreef.com

smatter · 05/02/2006, 04:01 PM

You should be able to put halides over your tank if they are hanging over an open top. Any Summertime heat issues can usually be solved with a fan. T5s are nice but pricey if you get a TEK. I would want an 8 bulb on a 90. Or you could go with 2 250W high kelvin halides without supplemental blues to save some coin.

stingers81 · 05/02/2006, 04:02 PM

how many watts do I need? and what kind of bulbs? will 15000k be enough or should I go with 20000k?

smatter · 05/02/2006, 04:21 PM

15Ks would be my choice as stand alone bulbs. If you will use actinics a 10K would be better unless you really like the artificial blue look. Two 250W DE bulbs would do the job nicely.

cw150 · 05/02/2006, 08:40 PM

2 250 w DE bulbs. Phoenix makes a nice DE 14k if you wanted to avoid atinics.

smatter · 05/02/2006, 09:04 PM

I have seen the Phoenix bulbs and they do look nice. I might replace my AB with one.

Black Mammoth · 05/02/2006, 09:18 PM

I have 4x54 T5s on my 75gal. I'm upgrading my tank to a 90gal soon and I'll probably will add 2 more bulbs. I got SLS T5s (retro kit) and upgraded the to IceCap reflectors. It was $315 shipped from ReefGeek.com. I'm keeping softies, LPS, and SPS and a Maxima clam and I haven't had any problems.

I might be able to get away with 4 on the 90, but I don't want to risk it. You can go cheaper if you don't upgrade the reflectors.

I wanted a canopy, so I didn't go with MH. Also, the MH were fairly expensive.

05/02/2006, 03:54 PM	#1
stingers81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 393	what lights do I need?? Hey guys Im thinking of upgrading my lights for my 90g tank Its 48" long and 24" deep I want to keep most of the corals out there what lights should i get? how many watts should I aim for? I do not want to buy a chiller so heat is an issue plus I'm a student so money is an issue also.... anything I need to keep in mind before I dive in? cheers! __________________ "Success is a Journey, not a Destination". Current Tank Info: 90g, 20g sump,asm g3 skimmer, fowlr, crappy lights

05/02/2006, 04:02 PM	#4
stingers81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 393	how many watts do I need? and what kind of bulbs? will 15000k be enough or should I go with 20000k? __________________ "Success is a Journey, not a Destination". Current Tank Info: 90g, 20g sump,asm g3 skimmer, fowlr, crappy lights

05/02/2006, 04:00 PM	#2
Nu2SW Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arden Fair Posts: 1,772	a tank that deep. you probably gonna need to go with T-5 lights power compacts wouldnt work to well with a tank that deep, and metal halides are hot as hell and expensive as hell also. www.hellolights.com www.marineandreef.com

05/02/2006, 04:01 PM	#3
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	You should be able to put halides over your tank if they are hanging over an open top. Any Summertime heat issues can usually be solved with a fan. T5s are nice but pricey if you get a TEK. I would want an 8 bulb on a 90. Or you could go with 2 250W high kelvin halides without supplemental blues to save some coin.

05/02/2006, 04:21 PM	#5
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	15Ks would be my choice as stand alone bulbs. If you will use actinics a 10K would be better unless you really like the artificial blue look. Two 250W DE bulbs would do the job nicely.

05/02/2006, 08:40 PM	#6
cw150 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: nw suburbs chicago Posts: 330	2 250 w DE bulbs. Phoenix makes a nice DE 14k if you wanted to avoid atinics.

05/02/2006, 09:04 PM	#7
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	I have seen the Phoenix bulbs and they do look nice. I might replace my AB with one.

05/02/2006, 09:18 PM	#8
Black Mammoth Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lovettsville, VA Posts: 434	I have 4x54 T5s on my 75gal. I'm upgrading my tank to a 90gal soon and I'll probably will add 2 more bulbs. I got SLS T5s (retro kit) and upgraded the to IceCap reflectors. It was $315 shipped from ReefGeek.com. I'm keeping softies, LPS, and SPS and a Maxima clam and I haven't had any problems. I might be able to get away with 4 on the 90, but I don't want to risk it. You can go cheaper if you don't upgrade the reflectors. I wanted a canopy, so I didn't go with MH. Also, the MH were fairly expensive.