Lighting question 90 gallon 36 x24 I believe

[lvsuckerfish]

I am redoing my tank being I am installing new floors question I am racking my brain on light options and how many I need to go with for a 36 long tank, I have 400 watt ballast already but I am thinking to shy away from MH. and stick to T5's or Leds but times have changed since my last full reef set up.

Coral wise I tend to go more towards SPS, and Some flowy stuff for the wife.

I read and read and I know I will get a lot of options. but this will help me determine which route to go.

Thank you in advance

Jay

 

[Spare time]

Standard 90 gallons are 48 inches long if that is what you have.

What is your budget (max and preferred), and how do you prefer to mount the light (arm or hanging)?

 

[lvsuckerfish]

it is 36 long cubish I really don't have a budget to spend on I already spent 500 on the sump and ATO tank next is lights then the controller. So it is shopping time.

 

[Jekyl]

What do you plan on keeping in the tank long term?

 

[lvsuckerfish]

What do you plan on keeping in the tank long term?

Mostly SPS I gravitate towards the nicer corals. but I have to have some Flowy corals that will not be so evasive things that will flow with the current.

 

[Jekyl]

LED's for an sps tank will be very expensive. Stick with t5

 

[lvsuckerfish]

LED's for an sps tank will be very expensive. Stick with t5

funny you say that I was just looking at the 36 ati dimmable fixture. 8 bulb not the 6 bulb

 

[Jekyl]

If you want the option in the future get a hybrid fixture and only use the t5s for now. Add LED later when can afford to

 

[lvsuckerfish]

Do you think I could get away with Hybrid t5 and one or will I need two say Hyrda 64's or would it be better with two hydra 32s and t5s

 

[alain Bouchard]

you could go blackbox. they put out a lot of par and are way cheaper. they evolved a lot since the first gens when you had to replace some leds to get the right spectrum. I recently changed for popbloom rs90 and they are awesome lights for the price, much better than the 3 maxspect razor I used to have.