36" or 48" ATI over 90 gal

[Boomer71]

Hey everyone, first post here, could use some advice.

Setting up a standard 90 gallon mixed reef, 48"x18"x24". I'm just about ready to order lights, looking at the ATI Sunpower 6 bulb (non-dimmable).

I would really like to have a hood to help control light spillage as the tank will be in the living room. My worry is that with a 48" fixture there won't be enough flow for the fans. I've read that a 36" fixture might be a better alternative but am worried about lack of light around the edges of the tank? Would anyone happen to have pics?

I will be building the hood so I could easily add vents to the sides and would most likely have an open back and top, not sure how I will mount the fixture yet (either supported within the hood or suspended by shelving supports on the wall).

Any advice?

Thanks in advance, this site is a great resource!

[The Donald]

I have a 75 gallon (same footprint as your tank) and have a 36" 4 bulb sunpower. The sides of the tank are not dark even with the fixture 2-3 inchs off the water. You will be happy with the 36".

[stevedola]

I would not advise lighting a 4 ft reef with a 3 ft light. I think you'll be limiting the corals you can keep. It may not look dim however it will not look as bright as the 4ft fixture. I have a 4ft- 6 bulb on a 90g and a 2ft 8 bulb on my cube...great coverage, great par, great everything. I know you want a canopy but in my opinion these lights do an excellent job of focusing the light into the tank and look sleek doing it. My lights are 3-4" off the surface and I have very little light spillage.

Can a reef be lit lacking 6" on either side? of course, I wouldnt advise it if I had a choice between the 2 sizes.

[postshawn]

What if you positioned corals accordingly like low light ones on the sides and higher light need ones in the center?

[Saltwatercoral2]

a 36 inch sunpower will be plenty for your tank. In fact alot of people run the short ATI fixtures on there tank. For instance, if you had a 36 inch tank, they would recommend a 24 inch fixture. These have to be hung anyways so the light spreads out just fine. i had a 24 inch on a 36 inch tank and could keep corals anywhere in the tank. However, its better to get the 6 bulb fixture then the 4 bulb. Especially if your going with a short fixture.

[andyrm66]

I have a 36x36x18 tank, went with a 24" 8bulb Power Module. Hope its enough, dont have it yet. I was thinking 36" but its right next to the couch. My buddy has a 6 bulb 48" over a 75, and at 6-8 off the water, there is a fair amount of light spillage.

[dbleyepatches]

How much damage does the light spillage actually do? I am considering hanging pendants. Sorry if this is hijacking your thread.

[Boomer71]

It won't do any real "damage" it's more of just an annoyance. It was one of the compromises of me having the tank in the living room but I would still like to keep it to a minimum.

I'm still leaning towards the 48" 6 bulb, only because if I actually bought the 36" and was disappointed with it I would be ****ed I wasted the money and didn't fork over another $50 to begin with. Anyone have any pics of the 36" on a 48" tank?

[kissman]

48"

[mark54321]

I have 120 gal. 48x24x24 tank and use 36" ATI Sunpower. It is very bright ,but you will notice slightly less light on the edges. The way I have my rock it works for me ,as I did not want light to spill over the edges, since I don't keep anything this close to glass anyway.IMO 36" is more than enough and I really like the way it looks too,not covering the whole tank.