Lighting Required for Standard 90G Tank

[GatorDrew]

I currently have the Coralife 48" PC.

2-65 watt 10,000K Daylight & 2-65 watt 03 Blue Actinic Compact Fluorescent Lamps, 2 built in ballasts, 3-3/4 watt Lunar Blue Moon Glow LED Lamps , 2 cooling fans

I really want to get into hard corals and such.

I know halides are the best. However, I don't know if I do JUST halides or if I do both?

Also, I have a canopy that I really... REALLY want to keep. It really makes the tank look awesome. From the tank to the ceiling of the hood I have a bit over 5".

I don't know if that's enough... so I would consider somehow "raising" the hood. I donno.

I'm thinking that 2-3 of these may work though:
http://www.hellolights.com/aqadhatamo.html

What are your thoughts?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

2~3 might work...But depending on how high your tank is, 150w's might not be enough...IMO....you're better of getting a 2 400w retro's.....

 

[GatorDrew]

Good deal.

My tank's dimensions are: 49 x 19 x 26 (LxDxH)

Will that still work?

Do you know if there are any 2 400w retros that can fit in a tight space?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

http://www.hellolights.com/40methalretk.html
something like that would work...
and search in For Sale on this site aswell.....

 

[GatorDrew]

Awesome. Except I'm not too thrilled with what they wrote about the differences with magnetic vs. electric:

Wiring the electronic ballast is MUCH simpler than the magnetic ballast. Also, the electronic ballasts are energy saving - up to 25% over magnetic ballasts, extended bulb life up to 25%, provide consistent lamp color, uniform lumen output, reduced Lamp flicker, operate at cooler temperatures and are silent in operation (magnetic ballasts tend to "hum" while running.

Do you think http://www.hellolights.com/25hlmhrekith.html would work? Or should I give up on the potential energy savings?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

"Wiring the electronic ballast is MUCH simpler than the magnetic ballast"....wrong....but the rest is correct.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

or you can order the reflectors from hellolights and get this

http://ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=129&FID=17&level=1


just thoughts...see..you have alot more options then you thought....

 

[BurntOutReefer]

or even this:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1095952

 

[GatorDrew]

Best info ever!

Alright... so I need this:
http://www.hellolights.com/methalparref.html

http://ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=129&FID=17&level=1

Then 400 watt 15000Ã"šÃ‚°K from here:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13946&N=2004+113353

Couple of things:

1. The reflector is 5" high... my spacing is a BIT above 5.25" Not much room. Is it ok that it will be almost DIRECTLY over the glass of the aquarium?

2. I think that would be the best light to have...

3. How many do I need of each component?

Thanks man! Again... best help!

 

[GatorDrew]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9718307#post9718307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BurntOutReefer
or even this:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1095952

Looks good... I just don't have the money RIGHT now. I'm trying to see how much I need to save

 

[BurntOutReefer]

"over the glass of the aquarium?"...if you go MH...dont use the glass...you'll get greenhouse effect....

IMO...you'll only need 2 of each (bulb's and reflectors..)...
dived the hood into half, (49/2=24.5), then dived 24.5/2 =12.25).
so...12.25 from each edge is where you want your bulbs.....
get (imo) 10000K bulbs...but thats your choice....

 

[GatorDrew]

Oh... I just thought that it needed glass...

http://www.hellolights.com/25hlmhrekith.html
Caution: This retrofit/ballast kit must be housed in an area free of moisture, behind glass. Make sure the bulb(s) and socket(s) are sealed off from any moisture, humidity or evaporation when mounted over your aquarium. Mount ballast(s) away from moisture, humidity or evaporation. Failure to do so will void any and all warranty, and could be a potential hazard.

So... do I find some way to put glass over JUST the reflector?

EDIT: What's the difference between 10k / 15k / 20k?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

The ballast: Wire it to ( I think max lenght from ballast to bulb is 96") a long wire and put it away from tank.
you'll need fans in that canopy, so I dont think humidity will be an issue. I (and almost everyone I know ) run my MH's with glass with no issue's...
Good reading here:
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_qa.htm
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/lighting/a/aa042700.htm
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

 

[GatorDrew]

Wow! Thanks for the link!

I really like how the Actinic light makes my tank look... so I'll probably like the 14000K MH. I donno... LOL. Will have to search the photo galleries so I can really see. I'm thinking that Ushio is one of the better brands though.

Thank you again... you've actually made this sound affordable to me. I was expecting to spend ~$800. Now, I'm down to about $450.

2x - MH Parabolic Reflector Set w/ Mogul Base-------59.9
2x - Electronic Ballast-------------------------------------199.98
2x - 400W 10k (or 14k) Halide Bulbs------------------179.9

Total: 439.78 + tax

 

[BurntOutReefer]

Dont forget fans...you need 2 minimum...(Figure $20.00 for both



you might also want to look at www.aquatraders.com...

Jury is out on this site...I have ordered form them and I'm happy so far...
end of teh day...its up to you.

 

[GatorDrew]

http://hellolights.com/noname16.html

Guess I could just have them turn on when the lights turn on, eh?

I figure I'll get a set for my sump too... since there's a light down there.