LEDs and Wavemakers

[rpritch]

Hello,

I am in the process of planning a 90 gallon mixed reef. The tank will measure 48x18x24. While I will have some SPS corals, I prefer LPS. That being said, will two Hydra 26 lights be sufficient? If not, what would you recommend? I do not want to spend a penny more than what the Hydras would cost. Perhaps the 48" Photon by Reef Builders? If I go this route, will I be able to mount it within my wooden canopy?

In terms of flow, I was giving serious consideration to the Jebao RW wave makers. If I go this route, I would prefer to position them all along the back of the tank. With this in mind, would three RW-4 pumps suffice, or should I use two RW-8 pumps?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 

[rpritch]

Reef Breeders***

 

[rpritch]

Bump

 

[rpritch]

Help?

 

[zachts]

Either light would work. With the pair of Hydra 26 you'll need to have them raised up a good 12" or so to get enough coverage but should have no issue growing LPS and softies, and perhaps a few SPS higher up directly under the lights.

The Reef Breeders will be way more light for the money, enough to grow SPS on the sand bed at full power (you don't wan't to run them at full power though as it kills their life span if there isn't enough air flow within the canopy)

With either light you need to have really good air flow in the canopy or they will over heat and the life of the lights will be shortened significantly. Drawing in cool air from the room and exhausting the hot air.

On pumps, and this would be my preference only, many ways to work it. Use a pair of RW-4 one on each end of the tank, mid way down (or where ever gets the flow working for you, play with it a little). and then a pair of always on powerheads like the koralia 425 nanos along the back wall aimed up towards the surface and angled back toward the overflow, to provide constant flow (and in case one or both the RW-4 crap out someday, you won't be stuck without flow in the tank). Essentially what I run on my 55gallon only I only have on WP-10 (in my case) the RW are stronger, and on my list to get since my wp just died on me after a bit over a year (course I never cleaned it which is kind of a no, no, and all my fault for being lazy).

If you only want two pumps in the tank, go with the RW-8, but pick up a spare to keep on hand.