Halide lighting question...

I'm still trying to find the right lighting for my 90g. I started with the coralife 4 x 54w CF fixture, which I upgraded last week to my new aqualife 4 x 54w T5 fixture since my derasa wasn't looking very happy. I have the opportunity to purchase two 70w MH lights for $150 to add to the T5 lighting. My question is will 70w penetrate deep enough into my 90g tank or should I just pass it by? Sorry if there is an obvious answer.

 

I would hold off and wait until you have the money to buy a final light fixture that you are happy with.

You bought your first one, then spent money to upgrade/replace to make the second one, now you are looking to spend more to add to it again.

If you took all that money spent so far plus what you want to spend now, you probably would have a great light fixture by now.

My point is save your money and buy it one time, the best you can get because it sucks spending money on the same thing 3 times in this hobby!!!

 

I have two 175 MH 10k bulbs. Its perfect. I also
have two regular 40 watt florescent built into the canopy that I use on and off with them.

 

I have a 75 with 2 250W and 4 48inch t5. I don't think 75 watt lights are good enough for your 90. unless you have a really shallow long 90. but probably not. I agree with CCS that you should wait and save the money you would spend till next month or 2 and buy what you want.

 

Your 90 is a deep tank and the 70 watt halides won't penetrate with intense light to the bottom of your tank. Having said this however, depending on what you have residing in the benthic areas of your tank, stronger lighting may not be needed.

If you are considering keeping Plate corals, Squamosa or Derasa Clams that are frequently maintained in the substrate or many other species of corals in the bottom third of your aquarium, then I would advise going with 250 halides.

Placing corals in the upper third of your tank is a way of combatting the problem of lower intensity lighting. Type of corals also can factor into the equation as not all corals require intense light.

 

Thanks guys! I figured I should probably pass on the lights. The t5's I'm running now see to keep everything I have at the moment pretty happy since I have MOSTLY softies (zoas, shrooms, leathers etc... and a select few lps) I am just always on the look out to add to the mayhem. I figured maybe these halides might support a maxima at the top and maybe a sps or two. Guessing I'll wait till I spring for a chiller to take on the halides. I might still grab the lights, they might be good to get my indoor orchids to flower again and maybe a 20 gallon long frag tank in the future. As always thanks for the advise!