Lighting for 90 gallon mixed reef...

[gallivanmk]

I am kind of just not getting back into this hobby and I need some advice on what lighting I should go with. I have had reef tanks set-up for about 6 or 7 years now, but the last big reef-oriented one I had was a 240 that I broke down 2 years ago. I took my clowns, anemone, and a couple of small fish and made a 62 hexagon into a clown/anemone display while I have been moving around.

The hexagon blew a seam last week and I decided to go ahead and "upgrade" to a standard 90 gallon with a single overflow. I was able to use some equipment from the 240 (it is still in storage) which was nice, but the lights were the only thing I sold when I broke it down. I was running two 48" Outer Orbit MH fixtures then. I have never used T-5s, but I am considering it now. I would just like some advice since the fixtures, etc. have changed some in the last few years and now some people are going with LEDs.

I have always had mixed reefs and enjoy being able to keep just about everything, but I do tend to concentrate on zoas, rics, and LPS. Right now, I have 3 types of zoas, a random tree leather that I guess has been hitch hiking since the 240, but must have been upside down since as I just saw a tiny frag of it again, and a monti cap coral that has also been hitch hiking since the 240 and refuses to slow down growing. At the moment, I have a 24" Outer Orbit fixture with one 150w MH centered over the tank until I decide what to do.

I am thinking MH or T-5, but then again, when I look back at some of the softie TOTMs, I see that they use PCs.... Ugh, help?

 

[cromedogg33]

You really need to decide what you are going to keep in your tank. Most any tank thats using PC lights is doing so for supplementation. If you are going after a softie/zoas type of tank you can go any direction you want really. T5's will do fine for you and you can really dial in color any way you want.

If you are going to be keeping SPS you definately can grow them under T5's as well but higher end and more are needed. I personally would go with 2x 250w MH's if you are going SPS. But then again this is just the great debate of T5 vs MH.

Decide whats easier on your wallet and what you can afford to keep running monthly.

 

[gallivanmk]

OK, thanks. I think I may go with the T-5s this time. Just not really sure how many watts I should get or if there is a better brand to go with than others since I have never used them before.

 

[saix88]

I would go with the T5's, I have the nova extreme pro on my 90g and it's doing good.

I've heard about the nova going out on some people but it's still really good, I've had mine for about 3 months after switcing from vho/mh *only because of an ugly canopy* but if you want to spend the extra money definitely go with the sunlight tek lights.

 

[HHIreefer843]

I have a retro fixed t5/vho hybrid that I use with icecap ballasts on my 90 mixed. I get AWESoME growth from sps and the lps grow great as well. I'm running 2 t5s and 3 vhos. The t5s are giesmann actinics and I forget the bulb maker of the vho but they are 1 actinic and one daylight and one purple I love this combo

 

[Cablemike]

On my 90 mixed im running two 150w metal halide units and a dual T5 units in the front and a single in the back. The T5's run for 10 hours a day and the halides for 6 hours.. i get great growth with some colour options for bulbs.

 

[gallivanmk]

Great info., thanks.

saix88, is the nova extreme made by Current USA? I have had three fixtures by them (the outer orbit HQIs) and two of them have had issues with the actinics stopping working correctly. I'm not sure if that is a common problem with them or not, but it definitely worries me a little bit.

I think I may check out the Tek Light T5 fixtures...

 

[gallivanmk]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Elite_Fixtures/48_inch__6x54W_Tek_Light_Elite_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Graphite)_by_Sunlight_Supply

I think that is what I am going to go with. So, one more question, I now have to choose 6 bulbs for it. What combination is the best to start with?

 

[gallivanmk]

Or?

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/SunPower_Fixtures/48_inch__6x54W_SunPower_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI