Lighting a 90 aga?

[mike1773us]

I am in the process of setting up this tank. I have a 250 DE PFO mini pendant on an Icecap ballest already. I am using a Hamilton 14k. For my 90, would it be best to get another 250 watt pendant, or use the single pendant and VHO's or t5's? The tank is 48" long 18" wide and about 24" deep. The major issue with a single pendant is the center brace on top of the tank.

 

[pugbreath13]

I am setting up a 90 also and will be using 2 250w DE's.

 

[trmiv]

I run two 250w DE's on my 90. A single wouldn't light the ends, and would cast a nasty shadow with the center brace. T5's would work nicely also, and save you some electricity over the dual halides. You'd miss that awesome halide shimmer though (which is the only thing preventing me from going T5).

 

[Blown 346]

I have the same tank and I use 2 250 watt halides, with only one you wont get the overall lighting coverage. A halide is good for 2 feet of lighting space, you should have one halide fore every 2 feet.
I would get another one.

 

[mike1773us]

Yeah, I will probably buy another pfo pendant. Thanks for the replies.

 

[horkn]

or you could do like i am on my 90g i am setting up, and remove the centerbrace and eurobrace it, run 1 250w De mh in the center and 4x54 of t5ho on it as well.


you could also replace the black centerbrace and run a clear acrylic one and you will be set.

and this way you will still have MH shimmers even with the t5ho on, have longer MH bulb replacement schedules (5-6hrs of running the mH) and use less electricity as well. the best of both worlds...

 

[dppitone]

I think two 400w SE MHs would be a better bet. IME, always add more light than you first estimate you'll need. Just an opinion.

 

[horkn]

2 x400w SE?

thats overkill IMHO

i have seen a 2x250 DE lit 120 (with 4 x54 t5ho) and it was amazing. great growth and polyp extension.

some of the sweetest tanks i have een are lit by both mh and t5

 

[want2reef]

I'd just get another pendant and bulb.

I run two Phoenix bulbs, and it is the best my tank has looked..... so far.

 

[mike1773us]

I went ahead and orded another pendant. Should be here in about a week or so. I still need to build a canopy for it. I was thinking of making the canopy about 15-16 inches high. Does that sound about right? I appreciate the input I have recieved so far. If any of you have pics of your 90 lit with any of those options you listed, I'd love to see them. Thanks

 

[horkn]

i will have pics fairly soon... well, maybe a couple months...i have nowhere yet to set this 90g up...

 

[trmiv]

My canopy is around 15" high. I have one PFO pendant, and an Aqua Medic Ocean light pendant. I think my canopy is a tad bit low for the PFO, so maybe 16" would be good for you.