Lighting ????

[Mark L]

I asked eariler about lighting needs for a new 90 gal reef tank that I am putting together. Everyone suggested that I should not use the 4 PC 96 watt's that I have now, but use 2 of them and the add some MH 175s or 250s. I have been doing some pricing on the different types of MHs and I am totally lost. To start with is there an advantage between the HQI type bulb over the traditional Mogul screw in type? And if so please explain. Also sence I already have the PCs, the ballast, and the reflector to put them on I am looking to just add 2 MHs and maybe a moonlight. There are several different ballast out there to do this with which one do you guy suggest for a DIY project like this. And could I see some pic's of the moon lights that you guys are using. Sorry for all the request just trying to get an education on something Ive never used before.

[Geoff]

it really is personal preference between MH types. i prefer the mogul. only because they are easier to work with, bigger. HQI's need a protective glass plate to limit the amount of UV exposed to the tank. moguls already have this glass incorporated into the bulb, it is the outer bulb itself). there is a larger selection of mogul type bulbes, but this gap seems to be getting smaller.

several of our sponsors have retro kits which i think is what you are looking for. i would check Marine Depot, Premium Aquatics, and Hello Lights .com for each.

not a big fan of moonlights. to much going on there to be really usefully reproduced by a tiny LED light. if you are looking for something to watch your critters at night, i strongly suggest just using a red filtered flashlight, stay away from anything blue in colour.

G~

[floridareefs]

A 6x54 watt ice cap retro kit will grow just about whatever you want over the 90 gallon tank. The t-5s with the slr or parabolic reflectives give out tremendous Par. Just forget about watts per gallon. Check out reefgeek.com and look for t5 retrofit. The t5s, burn cooler than a metal halide are far less money to replace and you can grab a t5 bulb with your hand. I would not try that with a metal halide. Heat also is less for the t5, althought he icecap overdrives the 54 watt bulb to around 80-85 watts. You will need fans for both applications. There was a a tanko f the month on reefcentral, I think his signon was dannano, he ran all t5s over a 110 or a 150, I cant remember and he has tremoundous sps growth. I hope that helps.

[Geoff]

be carefull of total watts being used. 6-54w T-5's is more watts than 2-150w HQI MH's. it is important to look at total watts if the electricity bill is important to keep down for you in your area.

i prefer the look of a point source over the look of a diffused light source. this is also personal opinion.

G~

[SeanF]

Here is the light for you. They won't be available until July but it solves heat problems and power consumption problems.

http://www.pfolighting.com/Aquarium-LED-Lighting.aspx