90 gallon lighting

Roads · 10/09/2006, 05:08 PM

I'm getting ready to purchase my 90 gallon setup but have a few questions and concerns on lighting. The tank dimensions are 48x18x24 and it will have a canopy with a couple small fans and vents. I have narrowed the lighting setup to two options, (1) 2 175w 14k halides with 2 110w VHO's or (2) 2 250w 14k halides with 2 110w VHO's. My concern is mostly about heat generation and sufficient amount of light. I plan on having a mixed reef softies, LPS, and SPS. I'm pretty sure option 1 won't overheat the tank but will it provide enough light? I like option 2 better but it's more expensive to run and maintain, draws alot more watts (old house = bad wiring), and could overheat the tank. Please chime in with your opinions.

This is the setup I'm looking at is the hamilton retrofit setup, opinions?

Thank you

drives300 · 10/09/2006, 09:16 PM

Some of this may depend on the ambient temp of your home. A 72 degree house may not have a problem. I have 2x 175 only on my 90 and I push about 81 degrees. Although Most of this heat I believe comes from my pumps.

Roads · 10/11/2006, 07:50 AM

Thanks for the input, anyone else?

Hammercoral · 10/12/2006, 07:40 PM

good fans and venting , also consider how high your lights are from the surface of the water. Either setup could overheat if its not vented properly.

10/09/2006, 05:08 PM	#1
Roads Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 14	90 gallon lighting I'm getting ready to purchase my 90 gallon setup but have a few questions and concerns on lighting. The tank dimensions are 48x18x24 and it will have a canopy with a couple small fans and vents. I have narrowed the lighting setup to two options, (1) 2 175w 14k halides with 2 110w VHO's or (2) 2 250w 14k halides with 2 110w VHO's. My concern is mostly about heat generation and sufficient amount of light. I plan on having a mixed reef softies, LPS, and SPS. I'm pretty sure option 1 won't overheat the tank but will it provide enough light? I like option 2 better but it's more expensive to run and maintain, draws alot more watts (old house = bad wiring), and could overheat the tank. Please chime in with your opinions. This is the setup I'm looking at is the hamilton retrofit setup, opinions? Thank you

10/09/2006, 09:16 PM	#2
drives300 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 961	Some of this may depend on the ambient temp of your home. A 72 degree house may not have a problem. I have 2x 175 only on my 90 and I push about 81 degrees. Although Most of this heat I believe comes from my pumps. __________________ Water Param 79 degrees nit 0 amm 0 phos 0 salifers Calcium 450 salifer alk 11 dkh Ph 8-8.1 Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon,reef octopus nw150, 2 oceanflow mods, 2x 250w 10k mh, phos reactor

10/11/2006, 07:50 AM	#3
Roads Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 14	Thanks for the input, anyone else?

10/12/2006, 07:40 PM	#4
Hammercoral Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Elmhurst Posts: 220	good fans and venting , also consider how high your lights are from the surface of the water. Either setup could overheat if its not vented properly.