90G SPS Tank & T5 Lights
- Thread starter hanas
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AquaReeferMan
Got Reef?
For a heavy SPS tank, it being 24" tall, you would want to go with 6 lamps with individual reflectors.
plus 1...
divewsharks
Active member
I run 6 (ATI fixture) over my tech90, 25" tall. I have corals and clams on the sandbed thriving. 8 would be too much, as in too wide for my tank, would just result in excess light spill. 4 wouldn't give nearly the coverage needed.
Big E
Premium Member
I run 4 on a 75 gallon(same L & W of a 90g) & it works fine. It's a Reef geek retro fit with an Ice cap 660.
I haven't used the new ballasts they have now, so it may not be as bright as a 660 overdriving the bulbs. You can always buy 4 & expand to six later.
Whether you run 4 or 6 isn't going to matter on the depth issue. Either way, if you want your acros to pop you're going to have to keep them in the middle to the upper half of the tank. More bulbs doesn't help depth, it just gives better spread.
Using 6 will probably give you more options for bulb colors. Personally, I would like to run 5 bulbs............I'm a total electrical dope, so I don't know if that can be done.
I haven't used the new ballasts they have now, so it may not be as bright as a 660 overdriving the bulbs. You can always buy 4 & expand to six later.
Whether you run 4 or 6 isn't going to matter on the depth issue. Either way, if you want your acros to pop you're going to have to keep them in the middle to the upper half of the tank. More bulbs doesn't help depth, it just gives better spread.
Using 6 will probably give you more options for bulb colors. Personally, I would like to run 5 bulbs............I'm a total electrical dope, so I don't know if that can be done.
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divewsharks
Active member
While running 4 or 6 bulbs will not make a diff on depth, with the right setup you are in no way limited to only the middle /upper half of the tank.
Big E
Premium Member
Not sure what your point is, but I can tell for a fact that every acro in my tank will grow at any level, BUT the colors are more vibrant at the top. I'm talking about corals that are directy under the 4 bulbs but at different levels.
I'm sure different acros will have different light demands, but my experiences are differant than yours............my acros are not as stunning in the lower half of the 20" high tank. The upper 10" produce more vibrant colors.
I'm sure different acros will have different light demands, but my experiences are differant than yours............my acros are not as stunning in the lower half of the 20" high tank. The upper 10" produce more vibrant colors.
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Fieroguy19
New member
Well 98% of people will tell you to get 6 bulbs and for good reasons. I have a 90g SPS tank and run 6 bulbs. There is no way I would switch to 4 bulbs. If you really want an SPS tank then lighting is not something to go cheap on.
I don't really like the idea of using Icecap since it overdrives the bulbs. You get more light, but have to change the bulbs every 5 months instead of changing them once a year.
I don't really like the idea of using Icecap since it overdrives the bulbs. You get more light, but have to change the bulbs every 5 months instead of changing them once a year.
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