Ok - long story short. 20 years ago we had a small reef aquarium (55 gallon), we had pretty good success for being young, dumb and broke college kids. We decided to tear it down after having kids, it was just too much at the time.
We are now setting everything up again, kids are older and eager to "help" (as much as teenagers will). This is now a family project.
OMG Lighting has changed in the years. I have been reading up as much as I can and it is just giving me headaches now! Too many options, too many decisions, everyone has what works for them and everyone has a strong option.
:headwally:
We have a 90 gallon. 48" x 18" x 24" with a 30 gallon sump. When we finally start stocking the tank, it will be a mixed reef.
For the lighting we want to try and stay under $1000 to start off. We are in no hurry with this tank, we will slowly be stocking this tank as it becomes a stable system. Long term goal, we don't want to have to worry if our lights are enough for the livestock we want to add.
I have gone to both of our local aquarium stores over the past couple of days, they both recommended the same thing, Aqua Illumination Hydra FiftyTwo HD. I was told we will need 3 of these, that is a little over our budget at $600 each x 3 = $1800
Do we really need 3 units for 48" tank @ 24" deep?
We have also been looking at the Kessil AP 700 but I am not sure it will be sufficient just by itself. Maybe start out with one and add a second later, when we get higher light demand corals?
EchoTech Radion XR90w G4 was another we were looking at, but it looks comparable to the AI Hydra52. Not sure if we would need 2 or 3.
Another option we are considering is a Hybrid system that has 4 x T5 bulbs with the capability to add LED lighting. So we could just have the T5's going while the tank establishes then as we decide to add the corals, we add the LED lights.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Pros and Cons?
We are now setting everything up again, kids are older and eager to "help" (as much as teenagers will). This is now a family project.
OMG Lighting has changed in the years. I have been reading up as much as I can and it is just giving me headaches now! Too many options, too many decisions, everyone has what works for them and everyone has a strong option.
:headwally:
We have a 90 gallon. 48" x 18" x 24" with a 30 gallon sump. When we finally start stocking the tank, it will be a mixed reef.
For the lighting we want to try and stay under $1000 to start off. We are in no hurry with this tank, we will slowly be stocking this tank as it becomes a stable system. Long term goal, we don't want to have to worry if our lights are enough for the livestock we want to add.
I have gone to both of our local aquarium stores over the past couple of days, they both recommended the same thing, Aqua Illumination Hydra FiftyTwo HD. I was told we will need 3 of these, that is a little over our budget at $600 each x 3 = $1800
Do we really need 3 units for 48" tank @ 24" deep?
We have also been looking at the Kessil AP 700 but I am not sure it will be sufficient just by itself. Maybe start out with one and add a second later, when we get higher light demand corals?
EchoTech Radion XR90w G4 was another we were looking at, but it looks comparable to the AI Hydra52. Not sure if we would need 2 or 3.
Another option we are considering is a Hybrid system that has 4 x T5 bulbs with the capability to add LED lighting. So we could just have the T5's going while the tank establishes then as we decide to add the corals, we add the LED lights.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Pros and Cons?
