Lighting Suggestion

Killian · 03-10-2002, 08:23 PM

I am looking to upgrade my lighting on my systems (90 gal) to the following

(2) 250W Metal Halide Fixtures
(4) 110W Dimmable VHO Fluorescent Fixtures
Super Reflector (95% Reflective)
Remote Ballast Box
Separate Switches for Metal Halide & Fluorescent Bulbs
IceCap 660 Ballast for VHO Bulbs
(2) 4 inch fans

I also may add a Neptune Systems AquaController or a Digital Oceans Light-Wave to help simulate the Day.

Does this sound about right ?

jegel · 03-10-2002, 08:26 PM

Sounds like a good setup to me. What will you be keeping in this tank???

Killian · 03-10-2002, 08:42 PM

Well to be honest I am not 100% sure but some could be

mushroom anemones
bubble tip anemones
bubble coral
zooanthids
star polyps

Other Corals....
And of course some fish :-)

Killian · 03-10-2002, 08:52 PM

Well to be honest I am not 100% sure but some could be

mushroom anemones
bubble tip anemones
bubble coral
zooanthids
star polyps

Other Corals....
And of course some fish :-)

Doug1 · 03-10-2002, 08:55 PM

That should work, tho if you want SPS and clams you might think about 400 watt right from the start
Not sure I would spend the money on VHO dimmer, they dont seem to be real popular, which leads me to wonder about reliability or need, JMO

FishDaddy · 03-10-2002, 09:53 PM

Hey Killian,

Good to have you join us!
I've given a lot of thought to lighting for a 75 or 90 as I plan to upgrade my 55.
My choice for a 90 would be 2x400 MH; probably 10k bulbs, though 6.5k's with supplemental actinics look good too. The 90 does need more intense lighting because of the depth of the tank, especially if you want to keep a full range of corals.
Ice Cap 660, of course, for the VHO's. I use one on the 55.
I personally wouldn't fool with the dimmer; just set the timers for the VHO's to come on and turn off before and after the MH's. Two fans are a good idea. How is your household temp in the summertime down in Orlando? It would be important to have a hood tall enough to keep the lights well above the water to avoid the extra expense of a chiller.

There's been a lot written about lighting and there are opinions all over the lot. Much depends on personal color preference but there's some good data to consider as well in recent articles:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/...omparison.html
http://www.atlantisaquatic.com/lightingtest.html
http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulb_color.htm

HTH,
Dick

Killian · 03-11-2002, 06:19 AM

The weather down here does get extremely hot but we keep our house around 72-75 degrees - gotta keep our kids cool :-)

How far should the distance be between the water and the lights? I looked into chillers and if I can avoid that expense it would be nice.

Doug1 · 03-11-2002, 09:15 AM

Typically MH canopys are about 12" high to place the bulbs 6-8 off the wate. With one or two fans and an AC'd house temp shouldnt be a problem

reefguy · 03-11-2002, 09:41 AM

well, this is just my take on the whole thing, BUT, in my opinion, you have WAY overkill on the lighting if you only want to keep the softies and corals you mentioned. if my math is accurate, that works out to over 9 watts per gallon! plus, with the 2-250W halides AND 440 watts of VHO, the 2-4" fans may not be enough to keep your tank in the temperature range you want. now, again, it may all work well without any hitches, but if you're looking to save money and not keep acropora or clams, you may be able to do with less light (and associated temperature problems). actually, i think you still could keep clams (i have no experience with acropora) with less light! anyway...just my two little cents!