Lighting for a 90...

[Guest Keyoke]

I'm getting ready to upgrade my lighting from 4x 55W PC to something bigger.. I'm hoping to go 250w MH... Anyone notice any deals out there on the net?

 

Also, what's the scoop on running MH only? I've seen some vendors reporting that you can run the 15-20K MH bulbs without Actic supplementation. Anyone doing this? How's the color? Aside from the ability to deal with transitions from dusk-to-dawn, any other drawbacks?

[steveoutlaw]

Jeff-

I would really look into the T5s if I were you. I just transferred the sps from my 120g w/ dual 250w MH into my 26g running 6x24w T5s. The colors of the corals are much more brilliant than with the T5s and there are not heat issues. Add to that T5s are less expensive than halides.

 

Check out this site......you could get the hood and bulbs for under $400.00 brand new.

 

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categorie...ing/104192.html

 

 

Steve

[BeltwayBandit]

I ran 20K XM 250 Watt MH over my 120 for almost a year and a half. It worked fine. I just wanted the flexibility that you mentioned so I added 2x 110 watt VHO actinics and dropped my bulbs down to 10K. Either way works, it really is a matter of personal preference.

[fishface]

I would also suggest a T5 fixture:

1. You'll have less of a heat issue. My other tank is now in the basement to offset heat issues

2. The T5's may actually have better penetration. That's what seems to be the case.

3. I visited dhoch, and his tank demonstrates that!

 

Check the other recently posted question for details and peoples purchases. JMAquarium had left this link for us to drool over. But check the whole posting.http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...an&pagenumber=1

 

I bought the same Tek Light for my 2nd 75, and I only found out now that it doesn't have a plastic shield. I haven't set it up yet, but I don't believe that the endcaps are waterproof so I'll need a shield. You should include one. It does cut light transmission by 10% though.

Premium Aquatics was extremely helpful otherwise. The bulbs were shipped separately and all arrived broken. They had another box on the way- even though I hadn't even checked them and 2 weeks had gone by.

But regarding the MH, you'll need 2 units to cover your tank properly. The T5s will more evenly light the tank from end to end.

FF

[Guest Keyoke]

I was looking at the T5 fixtures as a possible option.. all that wasted research on MH..

 

So the question is, if I go with a T5, how many bulbs?

 

Interestingly enough, you can pickup a single T5 Slimpaq 48" light (Current/Nova brand) (ballast/cord/bulb) for about $30 for each bulb.. which is really flipping cheap!

 

Champion Lighting also has a T5 Retro http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=21195 - 2x 48" with bulbs for about $150.. Again this is pretty darn cheap.

 

So where's the drawback to these? I like the TEK lights, and Finnex seems to make some as well.. I can't get my arms around why the PFO T5's are so expensive, other than the name.. it's not like they're Giesmann or anthing..

[steveoutlaw]

From all the reading I've done, TEK fixtures are the way to go (retrofit or hood) because of their reflectors. If you go with the TEK you get individual reflectors in the hood. Because the reflectors are so good you need fewer bulbs for your tank. A 90g should be fine with a 4x54w fixture. Be sure to go with the Giesmann bulbs.......general consensus is that they are the best. I didn't get the TEK but went with this fixture:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-HO-Aquarium-light-2...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

If I had it to do all over again I would go with the TEK.

[steveoutlaw]

Jeff,

I just took some pics of my tank with all the lights on....Bear in mind my camera really sucks but this will give you an idea:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Keyoke]

Steve,

 

Holy cow. You've got a 6-bulb fixture on that?

[Guest Kragon]

My T5's are coming in this week. I'll sell you cheap my existing 2X175 MH with PC system on spider reflectors if you wish.

 

Ryan

[steveoutlaw]

Steve,

 

Holy cow. You've got a 6-bulb fixture on that?

47402[/snapback]

 

 

Jeff-

I went with the 6bulb fixture for my 26g bow for 2 reasons:

 

1. I built my own little canopy to hold them so the lights are 24" from the bottom of the tank (the tank itself is 18" tall).

 

2. Even though the fixture has individual reflectors, they are not the TEK reflectors so the lighting isn't as strong.

 

I posted a lot of questions in the lighting forum on RC and the consensus was to go with 4 bulbs if getting the TEK fixture and to go with 6 bulbs if getting my fixture. Post some questions over there as well.....I got a lot of good information.

 

Steve