Lighting advice for my 90g

wicz101 · 05/18/2011, 06:16 PM

I'm getting back in to the hobby and my tank is a standard 90 gallon 48 x 18 x 24h. I currently have a dual 150 watt mh hqi and 4 x 65 watt power compacts(260 watt) that I would use as actinic supplement. My question is do I just replace with good bulbs or should I look into t5s, 6 or 8 bulb(Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture Or Fiji Sun*6 Bulb T5 HO Deluxe systems I was thinking) Or something else, I know good LEDs are out of my price range though. And switching to 250 mh wouldnt be worth the price and extra heat unless I can get them uber cheap.Tank will be a mixed reef with mostly LPS's and a few select softies and maybe a few SPS's at the top of the tank once it matures and is stable. I would like a nem or a clam maybe down the road. Also the tank will be bb because I really would like a zoo garden to cover bottom of the tank. I do not have an up grade anywhere in my plans and don't want to make dumb mistakes like I did the first time around. So any purchases will most likely be the last I make as far as lighting goes. So I really want to make the right choice and there is so much info out there it makes you nuts .Any ideas, suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Hope that's enough info.

grigsy · 05/18/2011, 08:19 PM

Save yourself some good $$$ and just replace the bulbs you have now.

The light system you currently are using is great.

My suggestion - consider getting a new 150 watt 10K or 14K bulb (Ushio, Phx, Hamilton - all good brands) and get four new 460 nm blue compact fluorescents (hello lights has good ones). That would be a great combination for color and growth.

It would be easier, quicker and cheaper than buying a whole new lighting system as well.

05/18/2011, 06:16 PM	#1
wicz101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 250	Lighting advice for my 90g I'm getting back in to the hobby and my tank is a standard 90 gallon 48 x 18 x 24h. I currently have a dual 150 watt mh hqi and 4 x 65 watt power compacts(260 watt) that I would use as actinic supplement. My question is do I just replace with good bulbs or should I look into t5s, 6 or 8 bulb(Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture Or Fiji Sun*6 Bulb T5 HO Deluxe systems I was thinking) Or something else, I know good LEDs are out of my price range though. And switching to 250 mh wouldnt be worth the price and extra heat unless I can get them uber cheap.Tank will be a mixed reef with mostly LPS's and a few select softies and maybe a few SPS's at the top of the tank once it matures and is stable. I would like a nem or a clam maybe down the road. Also the tank will be bb because I really would like a zoo garden to cover bottom of the tank. I do not have an up grade anywhere in my plans and don't want to make dumb mistakes like I did the first time around. So any purchases will most likely be the last I make as far as lighting goes. So I really want to make the right choice and there is so much info out there it makes you nuts .Any ideas, suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Hope that's enough info.

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05/18/2011, 08:19 PM	#2
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	Save yourself some good $$$ and just replace the bulbs you have now. The light system you currently are using is great. My suggestion - consider getting a new 150 watt 10K or 14K bulb (Ushio, Phx, Hamilton - all good brands) and get four new 460 nm blue compact fluorescents (hello lights has good ones). That would be a great combination for color and growth. It would be easier, quicker and cheaper than buying a whole new lighting system as well.