lighting for 90gal?? comments/opinions??

Alero · 08-25-2005, 11:44 PM

Just pondering back and forth on lighting for my 90gal. Was going to go with Ice Cap 660 with 440w.

Then thought about 250w MH and then VHO supplement. Mixed reef with softies/LPS and poss. SPS later on. I know I can set higher light corals higher if going with VHO only. I know people have run 440w over a 90gal and done well and again just asking your opinions/comments

Just not sure which way to decide yet.

Thanks again,

Dwight

redwinger · 08-25-2005, 11:50 PM

I used to run 440 of vho over my 75 and then switched ti 2x 250 MH and then added a third 250w. It is pretty tough to get sps to color up and thrive under vho even if placed high. Best advice would be if you are cotemplating the sps route later on get the MH now and then you will not have to worry about upgrading the lights later on. If you are dead set on softies and lps then just stick with the VHO.

Sea monkey · 08-26-2005, 12:21 AM

t'5s

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...dexid=lt-t5-sy

tico mike · 08-26-2005, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea monkey

t'5s

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...dexid=lt-t5-sy

For LPS and Softys you can't beat VHO. T-5's are a close second. My neighbor had the T-5's and would tell you the same. Best of both worlds is prolly T-5's for your whiter light and VHO super actinic. If you get the IC 660 you could do it. I maybe trying it out myself in the near future.

Skipponator · 08-26-2005, 09:30 AM

I ran 2x175mh and 220w VHO super actininc in my 90, worked pretty well.

David Grigor · 08-26-2005, 10:10 AM

Personally, I haven't been happy with T5s ( On icecap ) for LPS. In particular elegance ( that had for a couple of years, open brains, fox coral ). However, T5s do surprisingly well for SPS, if you were leaning more towards them and willing to accept the trade off. Even if T5 daylights I would still stick with the VHOs for actnics. The blue plus and actinic T5s just don't do it for me...

If you primarily just getting your feet wet again and SPS are someday then it's really tough to beat VHOs. You can always add the MH later and use VHOs for supplementation. I recommend Icecap vs. the other less brands because of bulb life and most versatile for future setups....

Alero · 08-26-2005, 10:13 AM

VHO's are the way I am leaning towards. SPS would be down the road. Just would like to get quality lighting now and as you said David upgrade later. New 440w VHO retro + bulbs running aroun $300.00. Not a bad deal.

Thanks,

Dwight

Sea monkey · 08-26-2005, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Grigor

Personally, I haven't been happy with T5s ( On icecap ) for LPS. In particular elegance ( that had for a couple of years, open brains, fox coral ).

too bright ?

David Grigor · 08-26-2005, 12:19 PM

I suspect a peak at some portion of the wavelength ( or possibly that gets exaggerated when over-driven on Icecap ) that isn't found in VHOs or MH bulbs that the LPS just doesn't like or has to work hard to protect itself from. To clarify I'm using the ATI Aquablues ( nice crisp white IMO ) not the 6500K bulbs or Blue+ ( which I hate ). Doesn't seem to have any effect positive or negative towards the zooanthids or softies. I have a orange encrusting montipora that also just hates the T5s will do good for a while then bleach out start to recover then bleach out again. Thus far that's the only non lps example I have.

I am in the process of changing out the front T5 with a VHO 50/50 which is where most of the LPS are located and just leave the 2 T5s directly over the back portion of the tank where most of the SPS reside.