What to do for lighting

Max2000 · Nov 15, 2009

I was planing on making a DIY t5HO 54WATT with 6 bulbs but i just figured out that i would only be saving between 50-150 dollars from a already made fixture. So i was thinking about using 2 175WATT Metal halide. Im planing on growing just about anything, having my less light demanding corals on the bottom. Im trying to figure out which one will not raise my energy bill to much:squigglemouth: I got a 90 gallon rectangle tank with a 1FT canopy. So i need some opinions.

or maybe i should use VHO im not sure this is getting confusing. This tank is for display.

Harry_Y · Nov 15, 2009

I would suggest a 6 or 8 tube T5 light.

Max2000 · Nov 15, 2009

harry have you ever DIY a T5 set up. Cause I dont think it will be cost effective better if i bid a Current USA pendant on ebay.

gilmour01 · Nov 15, 2009

it depends on what look you like. the T5's would give you better color options and the halides would give you shimmer. you can keep anything under either one.

FateX8 · Nov 15, 2009

i remember when i priced out everything for a setup and the priciest part were the bulbs
but on the other hand, you get wat you want instead of wat they give you, and current only has 2 different bulb, white and blue
you could change out the bulbs but then that would just raise costs

JR's Reef · Nov 15, 2009

You should check out DIYReef.com Reef Aquarium Lighting and Supplies There going out of business and have some killer deals on what they have left in stock. You could save some money if they have what your looking for.

Harry_Y · Nov 15, 2009

Max2000 said:
harry have you ever DIY a T5 set up. Cause I dont think it will be cost effective better if i bid a Current USA pendant on ebay.

I think you would do better getting a TEK Light fixture
without bulbs then picking out the bulbs you like.

I priced up a DIY and a Tek and in the end I want with the Tek.

It gave me something nicer than I could DIY since I do not want a hood.

Max2000 · Nov 15, 2009

about 200 USD for everything excluding ballast + i have to find someone to forward package to canada.

Max2000 · Nov 15, 2009

Harry_Y said:
I think you would do better getting a TEK Light fixture
without bulbs then picking out the bulbs you like.

I priced up a DIY and a Tek and in the end I want with the Tek.

It gave me something nicer than I could DIY since I do not want a hood.

how much did that TEK light fixture without bulbs cost cause on diyreef.com its like 82.46 for a pair of 2.. o.0

jaytizzle · Nov 15, 2009

I am sure that there are sponsors on here who carry Tek lights and can give you a deal with bulbs of your choice. I don't quite know the rules around here about mentioning vendors who may or may not be sponsors here, so I will let you look around for yourself but there is one that I know of that will let you pick what bulbs you want with the package.

I have had MH and T5 and I prefer the T5's by a long shot. I currently have a Tek 8-bulb fixture on a 120 and I love it.

Harry_Y · Nov 15, 2009

From a Sponsor Here (I think the best price I saw anywhere)

TEK LIGHT T-5, 48" Light Fixture 6 x 54W lamps by Sunlight Supply* - AquaCave

chromeguppy · Nov 15, 2009

I prefer the plug and play kind. Not the way to find out your no electrician.

Max2000 · Nov 15, 2009

I think i will go with that one

thanks Harry

Harry_Y · Nov 15, 2009

Max2000 said:
I think i will go with that one thanks Harry

You're welcome, I went with the 8 tube version over my 180.

I'm running for bulbs

2 Pure Actinic (purple)
2 Blue
2 10k
2 Midday (6k)

When I ran 6 tubes I ran

2 Pure Actinic (purple)
2 Blue
2 Midday (6k)

I tried 10k only overthe Daylights and it was
a bit too blue for my taste, but you may like it.

I personaly love the violet of the UVL Super Actinic
bulbs, but my wife prefers the blue.

It really is an individual thing, if you can try
to see the various bulbs in person.

xrayrider · Nov 15, 2009

I have tried a lot of lighting set ups, and t5 lighting is good for color, but does not penetrate the water as well. Our local club started using a PAR meter, testing different light sources and reflectors. One thing we discovered is that if you use t5 lighting, the reflectors are very important. PAR can be twice as high with a good reflector, over a cheap one, using the same bulbs and ballast. We also discovered that halides penetrate to the bottom of the tank the best, VHO lighting is almost as good, but t5 lighting is relatively weak at the sand level of a tank. I use Radium bulbs with VHO super actenic supplimation. Out of everything I have tried this gives me the best PAR, per watt, the best colors to the corals, as well as the color of light I like to look at in my tank, and the best growth rate. Radium makes a Halide bulb in the 150 to 175 watt range. I would recomend two 250 watt Radiums in a 90 gallon, but the smaller bulbs with 2 - 3 VHO super actenics should be enough. This would help lower the power consumption, and the heat into the tank. You would get less power consumption with the t5 lighting, and less heat into the tank to deal with, but for growth rate, coral coloration, and PAR into the lower levels of your tank, you can't beat the Radium and super actenic mix.

Max2000 · Nov 16, 2009

harry and xray can you post pictures of your tanks so i can get a better idea.

nater · Nov 16, 2009

xray , if you where going to do 2x250 over a 90 gallon , how high would you place your lights over the water surface? i am thinking of upgrading from 150's.