Lighting for 90 gallon

[diaz2010]

I'm looking for a lighting fixture for a 90 gallon aquarium. I would like it to be able to support any corals I want to grow. Any advice would be appreciated. Also if you have one to sell that would be appreciated also.

 

[Rendos]

I am a huge fan of T5 lighting. Check out TEK lights if you want a fixture. For a 90, I would go with maybe a 6 bulb fixture. T5 uses far less electricity, creates far less heat, and rivals if not beats Metal Halide in par/intensity. If you do go with metal halide, I would look at 250 watters with Phoenix 14K bulbs. They are really nice.

 

[tran901]

i have a 6 bulb tek light over my 75 and everything looks awesome!!!! you will love the light...even though the light is expensive...its worth it!

 

[meagan1823]

how long is a 90 gallon?
I have a 48" 6 bul Nova extreme Pro im selling for $250 if you are interested pm me

 

[diaz2010]

Thanks for the advice!! Woul the nova be enough for a 90?

 

[VitalApparatus]

If the alternative of Metal Halide comes to mind I have a like new 250w set up Ill let go for cheap.

 

[diaz2010]

If the alternative of Metal Halide comes to mind I have a like new 250w set up Ill let go for cheap.

What kind is it?

 

[diaz2010]

Lol I figured I might need to clarify that question. What brand is it? How many bulbs?

 

[tran901]

if i end up going halides...you wanna buy my 6 bulb tek light?

 

[OneReef]

I agree with Richard on the halide part. Probably 250s due to the depth. I get away with 150w's but my tank is only 18-20 inches deep. I use Phoenix 14K as well and get awesome results from them. I can't speak to T5's as I have never used them, but Richard is the expert on those... :0)

 

[diaz2010]

How many metal halides would I need?

 

[Rendos]

I think 2 x 250 watt metal halides would work great over a 90...if you choose to go that way.

 

[diaz2010]

I think 2 x 250 watt metal halides would work great over a 90...if you choose to go that way.

Would I need t5's to go with them?

 

[Reviling]

Would I need t5's to go with them?

In my opinion, two 250w SE Metal Halide's would be more than sufficient.

T5's could be used for supplemental lighting (color alteration), but not necessary for coral growth.

 

[tran901]

your halides would be fine...a good pc or vho would make a good actinic

 

[diaz2010]

After doing some reading on halides I don't think I can use them in my canopy. How limited would I be on corals/clams with the tek or nova lights?

 

[tran901]

i have everything in my 75.....sps, clams, lps....

 

[OneReef]

After doing some reading on halides I don't think I can use them in my canopy. How limited would I be on corals/clams with the tek or nova lights?

You probably can, but just need to use some thought on how to do it. I have an enclosed canopy on mine, and have halide pendants hanging from small chains that I can raise or lower the lights. I also have to use fans to blow in and out of the canopy to keep it cool.

 

[meagan1823]

I kept SPS in my 55 gallon and i only used 5 of the 6 bulbs. (took 1 out because some of my coral didn't like that much light)
Never tried a clam.

 

[ZeePLUMBER]

i just took my 3-150 metal halides w/4 pc actinics off my 125 and put a 12 bulb T5 on it and it looks ******g awesome !!!