Getting new Lighting

[Patow]

I am currently running Coralife 48" Aqualight Power Compact Strip Light- 4X65Watt on my 90gal tank, with 30gal sump:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1383408/cl0/coralife48aqualightpowercompactstriplight4x65watt

I want to upgrade this lighting so I can keep pretty much anything I want in this tank going forward. I was thinking about this set of lights:

Current USA Outer Orbits 48" 2X150W 10,000K w/ 9 White & 9 Blue Lunar Lights

I'd also consider the 250W version, but I believe the balasts are external on that model, and I'm not a big fan of that.

Any other suggestions? How about T5's?

Thanks!

Dave

[porcupinepuffer]

Yes, the ballasts are external. What size is your tank?

[Patow]

Tank is 48"L x 24"H x 18"D. 90gal, with 30gal sump. Here are some pics of the system.






I don't want to limit my options, so I'm willing to spend the money to get a really kickin' set of lights.

Thanks!

Dave

[porcupinepuffer]

Xenon has a 90 gallon tank and recently sold his 150 MH lights, and I think he changed to T5's... He'd probably have the best advice on what you should do. I know for sure you'd definately have to make changes to that canopy for the MH's to breathe properly. And for the tank to remain as cool as possible.

[sniggir]

I would go with the duel 250w MH myself...you may not like the external ballest but if you do not want limit what you can keep that is what I would do if I had a choice.. then I would put in 2 T5's for the atinic

[xenon]

I sold my Coralife Aqualight Pro with 2x150w MH because it was not enough light and too much heat. I needed so many fans that made it a noisy setup with crazy evaporation! It would have been much better if my tank was not in a closet.

You would have MAJOR heat issues with MH under your canopy. Besides, you would need T5's anyways to supliment with actinic. If you do decide to get MH then dont bother with 2x150w. Go with 2x250w for sure!!! 90g tanks are too deep for 150w.

I decided to go with T5's instead. The light fixtures are cheaper, bulbs are cheaper and last longer, less heat, no fans required, unlimited bulb combo's and amazing growth! I bought the Limited Edition 48" Tek light from reefgeek.

You could get a 48" tek retrofit kit for your hood that would work perfectly! Don't bother with the tek2 kit because the reflectors apparently are pure crap.

I use the following bulb setup in this EXACT order.

Front
====
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE 3000K
GE 6500K
ATI Aquablue
ATI Blue Plus
====
Back

[sniggir]

K I love T5's but how is it that 320w if T5's would be stronger that the MH of the same wattage... not bashing either just not understanding... I have had good growth out of both.. and definatly hold the 2 lights as the best but would still say that 320w is low for a 90g if i am wrong that is cool cause it will save me money on electrical bill and that would be awsome.. I thought that you to have atleast 5-10 w per gal to grow sps and clams and such...

agian this is a question

[Patow]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone, this is great information.

A lot of people are recommending the dual 250W MH, but I'm wondering what you guys see as being the major difference between getting two single 250W MH units, and a couple of T5's (all of which I suspect will be DIY, and will involve some significant overhaul to my canopy), and just getting a unit like this:  http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_OuterOrbit3.htm?



2X250W MH Lamp (external balast, but I could make it work)
2x54w Actinic 460nm
2x54w Actinic 420nm 
9 blue leds/9 white leds

This would seem to cover it for me, and is putting out 729w/6.3 amps according to the specs. What would be my advantage to getting two single 250W MH units? Is it simply a coverage/penetration issue, i.e. the single units cover more of the tank than the Orbit unit?

I know these units are a little more expensive, but I'm willing to pay the money if it gets me a unit that requires little installation work. This would seem to be a great unit for my situation. Maybe I'm missing something?

Thanks!

Dave

[Patow]

One other thing. I'm running this tank in my basement which is quite cold all year-round, so I'm not overly concerned about adding a little heat from the lights. My heater is running 24/7 to keep the tank at 78, so I think a little heat from the lights would be okay.

Thanks!

Dave

[gvv]

I have GYI light for my in-wall 90G located in the basement. I also don't have any problem with colling, even I have 400W right now. I see the different problem here - evaporation is still high, so I'm using 8" fans to move air from the canopy and dehumidifier during winter, air condition will take care of humidity in summer.

So, right now I have 1x400, 2xSuper Actinics, 2x10000K, 5 blue LEDs (moonlight).
One thing I don't like from only T5 setup is that there is no shimmer effect of sunny day, that is great when you are using MH lamps. T5 looks like cloudy or overcast but bright day
Xenon posted pictures and you may see that shimmer effect in comparison with completly T5 setup. If you don't mind, just go with T5.

From other side MH is more expensive, as you will have to pay hydro bills...

Right now I'm planning to switch from my 1x400W MH to 2x250. I'm leaving 2xSuper Actinics, 2x10000K as I need something to simulate morning/evening time

Regards

[veron]

also like to mention, you cannot run MH with that canopy! its to shallow and heat would be a issue even probaly with T5's you'd have to figure something out.

[porcupinepuffer]

also like to mention, you cannot run MH with that canopy! its to shallow and heat would be a issue even probaly with T5's you'd have to figure something out.

My system is in my basement, which is really cool. I have no canopy, and no cover over my tank, and I still needed to install fans to blow the heat away at the surface of the water... I can keep it under 80 degrees, but without these extra fans, my 120 gallon tank will easily go over 84 degrees... I truly believe your entire top canopy would have to be removed, or severely modified if you were to go with dual 250 MH's, or you'd need a chiller. I'd go with a t5 setup if you want to try and keep the look with the canopy... And as far as wattage, MH does create quite a bit more heat, which inturn means there's a bit of an efficiency issue of how much light you're getting versus t5's... They're very different bulbs from one another, so you can't really go by which ones suck back more electricity.