Need advice for lighting changes

Connie · Feb 9, 2012

I currently have a 90g mixed reef lit with 3 Coralife fixtures holding a total of 3 daylight T5's and 3 actinic T5's. The tank is 30" deep 48" long. I just don't believe it is getting enough light. I was thinking of adding LED lighting, but I have no idea how to go about choosing the right combination for optimum growth. I could add LED and keep some of the T5.

Can someone suggest to me what would be the bes

t thing to use? Which LED's are the best? I have a wood canopy with a groove for lighting fixtures to slide into. The fixtures will have to be 48". This is an older picture, but the same set up. I am planning on purchasing as soon as I can figure out what to get. Thanks guys!

revhtree · Feb 13, 2012

The thing a like about dimmable led fixtures is that you can adjust it for your needs. For a 48" tank you could do 2 led pendant style fixtures and should get good coverage. How much clearance do you have from the water to the top of the canopy?

Connie · Feb 15, 2012

about 12" from top of tank to the top of the canopy. The tank has a glass cover on it.

Connie · Apr 1, 2012

I just recently got the Marineland 48" LED Reef capable light fixture to go along with my T-5s for my 90g reef. Presently, I am turning the LED to daylight for about 4 hours during the day (Wow it is birght) , then I leave the lunars on for a few hours at night before I go to bedThat is bright too....but awesome. My tank is about 50/50 SPS and LPS. I also bought new bulbs for the T5. If you were me, how would you go about making the total transition? I don't want to fry everything in my tank. Right now, they are looking great!
I do a bi-weekly 15% water change.