Can i keep sps in my 90 gallon?

[saleen2881]

hey i have a 90 gallon that has been running for 1 year. i wanted to know if i can keep sps because i have 4 54 watt t5 BY ICECAP it has indavidual reflectors is that strong enough light?

 

[chefzif]

You would need some MH 150 or 175w min. I run 2x250w with 2xt5- for sps dominent 90g tank!

 

[B-Willz]

You can keep SPS in the mid to upper levels of the tank with T5's.

 

[saleen2881]

thanks i am going to keep some sps in the upper part of the tankk!

 

[Dustin1300]

That's not a lot of light so its gonna have to be really at the top IMO.

 

[divewsharks]

what bulbs are you running? and how old are they?
you can definitely keep sps with that fixture, you don't need MH. With only 4 bulbs over a 90G you won't have much coverage.

 

[bmiller1234]

As long as you have good bulbs you should be fine midway and higher. I would def run at least one high par low k bulb. There is a really good t5 thread by I believe grimreefer. read thru that thread or ask him best bulb combo for what you want to keep. He is the go to guy when it comes to bulb choice.
I personally keep sps in the sand with a 5 bulb system on my 100. I run the following
Kz new Gen
GE 6500k
22k
GE 6500k
Kz new Gen

I get approx 600 par at two inches deep and anywhere from 80 to 200 in the sand.

 

[Scuba Steve]

Yes you can grow sps with that fixture and more. Lps also. You should be just fine. I have a 100 gal with 4 t5 on it and have no problem growing any corals. You don't need mh just to grow corals.

 

[Mandragen]

flow is almost more important than lighting

 

[Softhammer]

Why not spend the money on a couple more T5's and hold off on the coral. T5's hold their value and allow you successfully keep coral. Dead SPS aren't worth diddly ****. Reef smarter, if its in question, the answer most likely is no.