Brand new tank, I need help!

Hi all! I haven't started my 90 gallon tank yet, but have been getting ready to, and the tank has a 48 inch long light "case" 5.5 inches wide... It has what I think are old smartpaqs or power compaqs? I'm not sure they are 20 inches long and form a U at one end... 2 of these...

May question is/are

1) what would be good to start with???????
I read this on garf.orf.... But I don't know if these will fit in my case... is it easy to retrofit these?

Qty Description
2 IceCap 660 ballast
4 46 1/2 or 48 inch - 40 watt NO - URI 50/50 flourescent bulbs
4 46 1/2 or 48 inch - 40 watt NO - URI Blue Actininc flourescent bulbs
8 Pair of water proof end caps. Ensure they are high quality and will not melt with VHO bulbs.

2) Obviously I can't fit 4 48 inchers in there or maybe I could if they were thin...


I'm lost, basically I want to start a 90 gal reef tank, nice and slow and I have the 48 inch long 5.5 inch wide light fixture...

What do you guys think I should buy and is Champion Lighting a good place to buy it?

TYIA!

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>>>

 

Thank you!

Do you know if those lights look like good options? And if lights are pretty customizable as far as ballast and bulbs go???

 

welcome to 3reef! pm Tangster he can hook you up with the lights you need.

what kind of tank are you planning?

 

Oh! also they said to start out slow with lights and ramp up to VHO like this:

Qty Description
2 IceCap 660 ballast
4 46 1/2 or 48 inch - 40 watt NO - URI 50/50 flourescent bulbs
4 46 1/2 or 48 inch - 40 watt NO - URI Blue Actininc flourescent bulbs
8 Pair of water proof end caps. Ensure they are high quality and will not melt with VHO bulbs.
After 6 months you can start replacing the NO bulbs with the following VHO bulbs if more light is desired.
Qty Description
4 46 1/2 or 48 inch - 110 watt - VHO URI 50/50 flourescent bulbs
4 46 1/2 or 48 inch - 110 watt - VHO URI Blue Actininc flourescent bulbs


Does that make sense to you pros?

 

Here is what I would do if I were to backtrack two and one-half months to the beginning of my 75g tank

1.) Buy a Metal Halide setup right off the bat. Send us a pic of your lighting set up and someone will be able to tell you if you can retrofit it.
2.) Use RO/DI water to fill your aquarium. Stay away from tap water.
3.) Use Reef Crystals salt mix. Buy a bucket of it. You will need it.
4.) Buy a GOOD test kit. API makes a good one.
5.) Get a Great protein skimmer, not just a good one. The two things you do not want to skimp on are lighting and skimmers.
6.) You are going to have to decide if you want to suspend the LR on a platform. I have heard this is good, probably because it evens out the weight across the bottom of the tank.
7.) Decide now what kind of sand bed you want. Deep or shallow.

There is more, I just can't think of anything right now. That'll get you started. Send pics of your canopy though and we can see what you have and what can be done.

 

Welcome to 3reef. If you want some MH's, try this place. eBay Store - hombby: Metal Halide

Luna

 

listen to this guy get better lighting

 

i think they just want you to spend more money. you do have to acclimate corals to lighting when you change it but you dont have to worry about that yet assuming you have no corals yet. get the best lighting you can afford.

 

what do you want to keep in your tank? that will dictate what kind of lights you should buy.