Lighting question

[solareclisped]

I have a 90 gallon tank that is cycling right now. I am trying to decide on lights. I dont know what kind of coral I want to grow yet but I want a light system that will basically grow anything I might want. The tank is 48x18x24. Will t5's do the trick or should I go with metal halides. If t5 how many and if halide what do I need the 150 or 250 watt dual setup?
Thanks

 

[boxerzz]

There are a couple of good T5 fixtures, ATI power modul is one of the finest but they are not cheap. There are also the TEK T5 and nova extremem pro.
One of the most important thing about T5s is their individual reflector, they are a must for them to work well.
A 6x54w ATI PW fixture will do well for a 24" tall tank.

For MH, you will need a minimum of 250W to penetrate that depth.

 

[solareclisped]

So will the t5 lights grow most coral that I want.

 

[IslandCrow]

I'd probably go with an ATI Powermodule or Aquactinics (Solar Flare or Constellation) if you go T-5. Teks would be OK (that's what I use on my 46g), but you'll have to keep your more light demanding corals higher up in your tank. The Nova probably won't be all that acceptable for all corals.

 

[swpassion]

The ability to keep "anything" is relivant, not all corals can be kept together regardless of lighting. I would rec. picking the corals then going with the needed lighting, a 90 is a deep tank, some places will say 250 watt MH, some 400 watt MH. T5 will work if you have enough bulbs, at least 6 IMO, also the spectrum will play a factor, lower K ratings will give better growth but higher will have better penetration as blues penatrate deeper than white light does. It is all a trade off, but the one constant is you can never have everything you want in one tank.

Just my 2 cents and I by no means think of myself as the all knowing expert......

 

[solareclisped]

thanks for the info.