New Reef upgrade equipment suggestions

[Pchromis]

Hello all,,,,,first post here and I must say this forum is most informative.

Been trying to get some advice about an upgrade and would appreciate some of the advice I have been reading here..

I just got a 95g 36x24x25 drilled tank. There will be a sump/fuge below the display tank and I will be constructing a stand. Looking mostly to keep soft corals.

So far I have decided on a Eheim 1260 return pump, and still undecided on skimmer whether in sump, external, or brand..

My biggest indecision is the lighting. For this depth I know I should use MH...But I have to admit I am really concerned about the heat that is generated.

I have come down to three options.....So I have a few questions.....
Since I have a canopy and most likely will go retrokit, will a LumenMax Elite reflector using a 250mh using a 14k be enough and how high to mount it to achieve the 36" x 24" area? If I mount 12-15", will I still need a fan(s) with top of canopy half vented?


Or If I decide to go T5, will a TEK 8x39w retrokit be sufficient as the retrofit will take up the entire 36 x 24 hood area?


Or, Finally I was thinking of using an ATI Sunpower 6 x39 fixture with active cooling...Could I use this setup in the canopy as it will be more than sufficiently vented.

Thanks in advance for suggestions and thoughts.

 

[dafraguy]

i have been a long time fan of vho's. i am currently using them to light a 65g 36x18x25

 

[addicted2reefin]

tek light would be more than enough, if going halides i would do 2x250 or 2x150.

t5s produce better colors imo

 

[Pchromis]

So Tek 8x36w vs ATI Sunpower 6x39 comparison?

 

[sedor]

If your going retro, go for the tek. Does ATI make retro kits?

I would personally go MH's. With either light option you are going to need to vent the canopy and have fans. Not only for heat dissipation, but also for evaporation and gas exchange. I would suggest drilling the canopy on each side, one side with the fan sucking air in, and the other blowing out.

As far as a skimmer goes, most external skimmers can also be used in sump, so if you want options that would be your best choice. I don't know what your budget it, but a good affordable option of the Octopus Extreme line of skimmers. Whichever route you decide to go, make sure you pick your skimmer out first so you know how high to build your stand. Your also going to want to construct your stand so you can get a nice size sump in and out easily. My stand won't let me fit even a 20G under because of the support brace in the middle so i'm currently trying to fashion a dual tank sump with 2 15's lol.

 

[Pchromis]

Thanks for the reply...
.I didn't think the Tek T5 needed fans...The stand/tank canopy will stand rather tall and the top of canopy won't be visible so i can make it well vented or topless for that matter.

I was thinking of using the ATI fixture with built in cooling as the canopy would not restrict any airflow.

I was initially going with a 250 mh 14k with LumenMax elite reflector and ice cap ballast. But I still read and here about too high a water temp using them even with fans....I do not want to get into chillers.