Need some help on a 90 gallon custom in wall..

KYREEFMAN · 09/10/2008, 11:40 PM

starting the construction, gonna post some pics in the diy forum soon but while im waiting on equipment.. i want to get some advice from some people who have had 90 or more gallons cuz this is my first.. currently 440 watt pfo vho 4 bulb retro be enough lighting for most of the easier corals?? until the tank matures more than i plan on upgraded to get some more difficult.. if so. has anyone had this set up.. which bulbs proved best?.. thanks for any and all advice

KYREEFMAN · 09/11/2008, 09:04 AM

ive been reading the forums for close to a year now and i kno there are some lighting experts out there somewhere..

Gold Stripe · 09/11/2008, 09:45 AM

I used 4 110watt URI VHO on my 90 and they worked well for Soft and LPS. 2 actinic white and 2 blue.

However, if you plan on going harder and can scrape up the money I would consider getting some MH now. The reason is that when you upgrade to stronger lights later you will have to re-aclimate everything to the stronger lighting. It could lead to algae blooms and other issues. Your softies and even some LPS will not like a quick change to more intense lighting so you will have to aclimate them gradually by moving them under shade or cutting your photo period which can lead to other issues. Lighting is probably the 1 area where you should go to the max from day one instead of upgrading later. Changing skimmers, reactors, etc later will not have near the impact as changing lighting.

KYREEFMAN · 09/11/2008, 11:21 AM

wow thanks for your advice.. did you upgrade or are u still running those lights on ur 90 gal?... any pictures of ur tank thanks..

ChrisKirkland · 09/11/2008, 11:25 AM

I would actually use metal halide in the future I know most of the reefers are somewhat against them, but I use them on my 100 gallon Cube for SPS corals. They work great. Not to price. What corals do you plan on keeping? How much space above the tank?

Gold Stripe · 09/11/2008, 12:05 PM

No. I went from a 90 6 years ago to a full blown 180 reef 4 years ago and then our 3rd child was born earlier this year so with little time and no money I made the decision to downsize to a 75 and sell off the 180 and equipment. The 75 is much easier and cheaper to care for with just softies (shrooms, zoos, etc) and some LPS versus the full blown sps reef setup in the 180.

I'm running 2 MH and 2 VHO on my 75. I will try and post some pics tonight.

supercon71 · 09/11/2008, 12:27 PM

I agree with Gold Stripe, bump up your lighting now if you envision yourself going SPS at some point.

I also have a 90g in-wall and I use a dual 150 MH and T5 combo.

My pics are in my build thread....... just click on the red house....

09/10/2008, 11:40 PM	#1
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	Need some help on a 90 gallon custom in wall.. starting the construction, gonna post some pics in the diy forum soon but while im waiting on equipment.. i want to get some advice from some people who have had 90 or more gallons cuz this is my first.. currently 440 watt pfo vho 4 bulb retro be enough lighting for most of the easier corals?? until the tank matures more than i plan on upgraded to get some more difficult.. if so. has anyone had this set up.. which bulbs proved best?.. thanks for any and all advice

09/11/2008, 09:45 AM	#3
Gold Stripe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 977	I used 4 110watt URI VHO on my 90 and they worked well for Soft and LPS. 2 actinic white and 2 blue. However, if you plan on going harder and can scrape up the money I would consider getting some MH now. The reason is that when you upgrade to stronger lights later you will have to re-aclimate everything to the stronger lighting. It could lead to algae blooms and other issues. Your softies and even some LPS will not like a quick change to more intense lighting so you will have to aclimate them gradually by moving them under shade or cutting your photo period which can lead to other issues. Lighting is probably the 1 area where you should go to the max from day one instead of upgrading later. Changing skimmers, reactors, etc later will not have near the impact as changing lighting. __________________ I swear its the last coral I will buy honey ...... I promise!

09/11/2008, 11:25 AM	#5
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,739	I would actually use metal halide in the future I know most of the reefers are somewhat against them, but I use them on my 100 gallon Cube for SPS corals. They work great. Not to price. What corals do you plan on keeping? How much space above the tank? __________________ Chris Kirkland Reef Nerd. Current Tank Info: Getting back into the hobby.

09/11/2008, 12:05 PM	#6
Gold Stripe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 977	No. I went from a 90 6 years ago to a full blown 180 reef 4 years ago and then our 3rd child was born earlier this year so with little time and no money I made the decision to downsize to a 75 and sell off the 180 and equipment. The 75 is much easier and cheaper to care for with just softies (shrooms, zoos, etc) and some LPS versus the full blown sps reef setup in the 180. I'm running 2 MH and 2 VHO on my 75. I will try and post some pics tonight. __________________ I swear its the last coral I will buy honey ...... I promise!

09/11/2008, 12:27 PM	#7
supercon71 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 114	I agree with Gold Stripe, bump up your lighting now if you envision yourself going SPS at some point. I also have a 90g in-wall and I use a dual 150 MH and T5 combo. My pics are in my build thread....... just click on the red house.... __________________ Click on the Red House to see my Oceanic 90g Tech Tank In-Wall Build Thread! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 90g Tech Tank in the works

09/11/2008, 09:04 AM	#2
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	ive been reading the forums for close to a year now and i kno there are some lighting experts out there somewhere..

09/11/2008, 11:21 AM	#4
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	wow thanks for your advice.. did you upgrade or are u still running those lights on ur 90 gal?... any pictures of ur tank thanks..