Building a 90 gallon Mixed Reef NEED HELP

Matthew Frost · Nov 30, 2017

I am working to put together a 90 gallon mixed reef, this my first reef tank and I am on a Ramon Noodle budget. I am lost for lighting. I want to get a reliable lighting option. I don't care about WiFi or apex control ability or anything like that. My tank is 48"x24"tallx20". I have 4-500 dollars as a budget, I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Crabs McJones · Nov 30, 2017

Matthew Frost said:
I am working to put together a 90 gallon mixed reef, this my first reef tank and I am on a Ramon Noodle budget. I am lost for lighting. I want to get a reliable lighting option. I don't care about WiFi or apex control ability or anything like that. My tank is 48"x24"tallx20". I have 4-500 dollars as a budget, I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Definitely check around on here, you can get awesome lighting options for a great price. Otherwise you can get a black box for a couple hundred bucks from ebay or amazon. Do you have a preference of led t5 or metal halide?

Matthew Frost · Nov 30, 2017

I do not want to go MH, I have an acrylic tank and tight space above. I would prefer led if I can

atx100r · Nov 30, 2017

Check out the 300 watt mars aqua...good beginner black box that allows you to upgrade down the road without woorying about dumping it...ive been running mine on programmable timers since Feb and the tank and corals are doing great...

Matthew Frost · Dec 1, 2017

atx100r said:
Check out the 300 watt mars aqua...good beginner black box that allows you to upgrade down the road without woorying about dumping it...ive been running mine on programmable timers since Feb and the tank and corals are doing great...

It's not UL listed, I know for some that's no big deal but to me it's huge. Something electrical this close to water I have to KNOW it's been tested and is safe.

atx100r · Dec 1, 2017

I just put it on a GFI socket...

Coral Hygiene · Dec 1, 2017

165W ViparSpectra is a nice black box with a built in timer, $129 each. 2 of them should be more than enough for a 90 gallon mixed reef. Idk if its UL listed though.