Lighting for a Fluval M90

[spartanman22]

Looking to get some advice here. I’ve got a Fluval M90 (36”x12”x16”). I currently have a Photon V2 24” unit over the tank. I thought I’d be able to get away with a 24” fixture on a 36” tank, but I’m not pleased with the drop off on the edges.

So, I’m now weighing my options. I have zero complaints with the Photon V2, I just screwed up and got the wrong fixture! So, first option is just purchasing a 32” Photon V2.

Second option would be a 4x39w ATI. They’re tried and true. However I tend to prefer LEDs nowadays.

Third option would be an AquaSanrise H90. I have someone local selling two in great shape. I just can’t find enough info about them out there.

Fourth option would be AI Hydra 26’s. Again someone locally selling multiple. Would 2 Hydra 26’s be sufficient for my setup?

This tank is 100% SPS and a large Blue gig. So needs to get good lighting! Any help would be appreciated.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Two hydra 26's should be more than enough for this tank.

 

[spartanman22]

Will that give me good even spread across all 36”? I just really dislike how much the light tails off at the edges and don’t want any edge shadowing.

 

[jda]

6 bulb ATI for the acros and gig... if it will fit. 4 bulb if it will not.

 

[spartanman22]

6 bulb ATI for the acros and gig... if it will fit. 4 bulb if it will not.

A 6 bulb would overlap the filtration compartment by about 1.5” so basically the 5th bulb would be lighting the filtration area. Too bad they don’t make a 5 bulb. My only concern with T5 is I like the shimmer. I thought about a 6 bulb and fitting two of those bulbs and wiring in LEDs.

 

[jda]

Would you consider 150w HQI and a pair of 36 inch T5s? Shimmer, best performance possible with low heat, great coverage. Only bad thing is that you might have to retro something.

Most people do not even think about 150w HQI, but they have a best-of-breed bulb available, lower power and awesome output and spectrum. They do not get hot like higher powered MH and any open-top tank can stay cool.

 

[CoralReefer1019]

Will that give me good even spread across all 36”? I just really dislike how much the light tails off at the edges and don’t want any edge shadowing.

What settings do you run your V2 on for your SPS? How high off the water line and how deep is your tank?

 

[spartanman22]

Would you consider 150w HQI and a pair of 36 inch T5s? Shimmer, best performance possible with low heat, great coverage. Only bad thing is that you might have to retro something.

Most people do not even think about 150w HQI, but they have a best-of-breed bulb available, lower power and awesome output and spectrum. They do not get hot like higher powered MH and any open-top tank can stay cool.

I have and I almost bought a giesemann spectrum fixture not too long ago. But they just get too hot. Too much ambient heat. The room the tank is in is small and it’d keep that room real warm all the time. Plus it’s more expensive to run than an led or T5

 

[spartanman22]

What settings do you run your V2 on for your SPS? How high off the water line and how deep is your tank?

Off the top of my head I don’t remember the exact schedule but it ramps up to about 70% blues and 45% whites by noonish and stays there until 6-7 then ramps back down. LEDs are about 12-14” off the surface. The tank is 16” deep.

As far as the coral are concerned the light is great. Sps are growing and coloring well at all levels in the tank there’s just shadowing on the right side of the tank (have the fixture off center towards the left side due to the rockwork).

 

[CoralReefer1019]

Off the top of my head I don’t remember the exact schedule but it ramps up to about 70% blues and 45% whites by noonish and stays there until 6-7 then ramps back down. LEDs are about 12-14” off the surface. The tank is 16” deep.

As far as the coral are concerned the light is great. Sps are growing and coloring well at all levels in the tank there’s just shadowing on the right side of the tank (have the fixture off center towards the left side due to the rockwork).

I run the Coral Labs AB+ schedule, so far it’s been working for me. My tank is only 12” deep fixture is 12-13” off the water line and maxes out at 60% on the blues

 

[jda]

I have and I almost bought a giesemann spectrum fixture not too long ago. But they just get too hot. Too much ambient heat. The room the tank is in is small and it’d keep that room real warm all the time. Plus it’s more expensive to run than an led or T5

Have you actually used 150w HQI or have you heard this? I used 150w HQI over a 37 gallon and 29 gallon the past and it would not heat up either of them at all. Yes, some higher wattage MH have heat issues, but the heat with 150w HQI is not much and the power is power usage about the same as a Radion. If you have tried one and it does not work where you live, then cool... but if you are going off of what you have heard/read, then this is probably not right for this light and they might be worth a shot.