90 Gallon Lighting Question

[E.intheC]

I've got a 90 gallon (standard 4ft) tank that I'm trying to light appropriately.

However, I'm having trouble pulling the trigger on a fixture; mainly because I want the following:

-Efficiency.
-Color.
-"Not too much light" (increase in algae/energy/operating expense).
-Sufficient light for coralline algae growth.
-Dawn/Dusk application would be nice.

So far, I'm leaning toward a 2x54 watt Tek T5 fixture with either 2x ATI Blue+, or 1 Blue+ and 1 Purple+ bulbs.

What do you think? I'd appreciate comments on my lighting and bulb choices. Thanks.

 

[knutez24]

Blue+ are really blue....it would be just actinic. Blue+ with aquablue special is a combo I like. The aquablue special would give some "white" light. Not sure the look you are going for

 

[MatthewScars]

Only 2 bulbs? You need like (6) 54w bulbs to light it. 108watts on a 90 is nothing. Might was well use standard light bulbs at that rate

I used a Nova Extreme Pro 6x54watt. It was awesome. I had really good sps growth too. you need ATLEAST 3.5-4.5 watts per gallon of water. the 6 bulbs t5 ran at 324watts with little heat output.

I've got a 90 gallon (standard 4ft) tank that I'm trying to light appropriately.

However, I'm having trouble pulling the trigger on a fixture; mainly because I want the following:

-Efficiency.
-Color.
-"Not too much light" (increase in algae/energy/operating expense).
-Sufficient light for coralline algae growth.
-Dawn/Dusk application would be nice.

So far, I'm leaning toward a 2x54 watt Tek T5 fixture with either 2x ATI Blue+, or 1 Blue+ and 1 Purple+ bulbs.

What do you think? I'd appreciate comments on my lighting and bulb choices. Thanks.

 

[ryangrieder]

Yeah I don't think 2 bulb would prove anything. I did not even kow they made a 2 bulb. Just looked through their catalog and did not see it. If anything, get the 4 bulb. Not that expensive and would still not be that bright. 6 bulb would be amazing, and no where near overkill for nucient algaes or anything.

 

[Og Drogon]

I have a 90g 48"x18"x24" and I feel like I need something more then a 4x54w current USA light fixture that I have........

 

[E.intheC]

It's for.a FOWLR. No corals are going into this tank at all.

 

[Og Drogon]

It's for.a FOWLR. No corals are going into this tank at all.

Ohhh just put a house bulb on it, lol j/k.... Yeah the two bulb fixture is good enough ......Corallife has some good and cheap ones.

 

[E.intheC]

I should have included that "minor" detail in the first post.

I have a 2ft normal output light on my tank now and it's not bad actually

 

[MatthewScars]

I should have included that "minor" detail in the first post.

I have a 2ft normal output light on my tank now and it's not bad actually

yeah, put a 60w light bulb near the tank. Done.

 

[E.intheC]

So I'm pretty close to jusT ordering the tek fixture. Looks like an aquablue special and blue+ bulbs.

 

[MIKE NY]

thats what I'm using on my fuge which is a standard 90...2x54..1 actinic and 1 aquablue and it looks great..good growth on the macros and even have some SPS frags up high doing well also....

 

[Og Drogon]

So I'm pretty close to jusT ordering the tek fixture. Looks like an aquablue special and blue+ bulbs.

My friend just put the Tek 8x54 T5 that he bought from a member here and boy that S$H&i@t looks HOT.
But if you just doing a FOWLR TANK then its a waste, but if you planing on keeping corals then it's beautiful ;-)

 

[E.intheC]

Now I'm actually leaning toward keeping some lower maintenance corals like gsp/xenia/mushrooms/toadstools... Essentially anything that grows decent and doesn't require a lot of light.

 

[MatthewScars]

You'll be fine with two bulbs for growing those.