what can live under this light

[porkypuffer]

hi I have a 90g (48x18x18) and on it a 2x65w Pc unit along with a double NO 48" flouresent making 80w one actnic and one 10k all bulbs brand new. the reason for this lighting is an underbudget on my part anyway the tanks been running for a solid 2 months and with the qt of fish the tanks looking pretty empty right now

Can i keep any corals with this light? Ive read alot of posts but some diffintive answers on whether any corals on this list would live and grow would be much appreciated

mushrooms?
ricordia?
zoos?
gsp?

now besides these what kind of light upgrade would I need to keep:

Xenia
hammer
bubble
open brain

thanks for any help

 

[mile sq. reefer]

Since it is only 18 deep you could get away with 2x150w HQI with T5 fixture. Most fixtures are 15 deep so light coverage will be good. You coukd keep LPS, SPS, Softies, clams ( Derasa). A 2x250w MH fixture will also work but you may have to run a chiller to keep the water temp down.

 

[porkypuffer]

thank you for the reply.

so are you saying my current light fixtures are useless for even mushrooms/rics/and zoos? I am not very intrested in sps or clams as I am just starting out and currently have relativly low flow

thanks again

 

[DarG]

A standard 90 gallon is 48" L X 18" W X 24" D
I believe a 70 gallon is 48 X 18 X 18

Unless you are talking about the actual depth due to a DSB.
I have a 90 and it is actually only 18" deep because of a plenum and DSB.

 

[porkypuffer]

yea I thought I had edited it and while my sandbed brings detph to about 20" I meant to say 48x24x18 sorry

anyway
I think I have decided to bite the bullet and go for a 4x54w t5 unit along with my 2x65w pcs. Does that sound good for anything but sps/clams?

 

[DarG]

I have a 2 X 150 watt HQI + 4 X 54 watt T5 combo fixture. I would have gone with a dual 250 watt halide + T5 but I got my fixture new, for a good clip under $300. One of the ballasts was bad and I ended up getting it dirt cheap. But asking about my lighting in my tank (18" deep at the most) , the responses would range anywhere from no way could I keep sps to yes I could keep sps and clams no problem. Point being that I think you also would get a range of opinions on what you can and can't keep.
Anyway, if you are going to go with the 4 T5 unit, go for one with individual reflectors for each of the bulbs. I think the Ice Cap SLR's are still suppose to be the best ones. The new TEK reflectors are supposed to be good too. There are others. There is alot of debate on reflectors here but without having to sift through all of the discussion, I think most everyone agrees that individual reflectors will get the most light out of the T5's and that will give you the best chance of keeping more of the corals that like alot of light. Just gives you more options on what you can keep.

 

[Reef Sponger]

Under current lighting, I would only keep mushrooms as they are low light corals. Your lighting is best for fish only tanks, need to upgrade to keep corals. 4x54w Tek or IceCap T5s with the individual parabolic reflectors would be a great addition and you can keep those corals that you're thinking of.

 

[luke33]

I would definately go with the 6x54 if your going with a tek. You may be able to squeak by with the 4x54, but will most likely have to keep any sps in the middle or towards teh top.

 

[porkypuffer]

thanks you all for the responces this forum is great for quick answers!

I will upgrade to the t5 along with my pc lighting within the week
would I be able to keep clams with these or is clams without halides (which I can not afford and do not have the correct canopy for) a no no

thanks again

 

[Icefire]

I know someone who have a 65g 36x18x24 and 4x T8NO light (2 10000k, 2 Actinic) and another 24" T8.

He have a torch and 3 hammer doing well, with some growth.

T5HO will boost that up