t5 upgrade

you might actually be downgrading your lights with a 4 bulb fixture.

 

I definitely wouldn't be downgrading. I may be able to get a Nova 6 bulb fixture. It sounds as though I would be better served with that. I still wouldn't be able to do SPS for lack of a calcium reactor.

 

no, but you could do everything else much more comfortably

 

You don't need a calcium reactor to do SPS. If you have a standard 90, it is 24" deep? That is deep for T5s, especially for only a 4 bulb fixture. I would rather save up and get a 6 bulb, that's just what I would do.

 

Exactly true..you don't need a reactor to have good growth,and colors with sps.My buddy an hour away is all sps for years,he was blown away when he seen my reef.I have great flow,and NEVER miss my 5 gallon water change every 2 weeks.Salt is expensive here,i have only used the cheapest which is instant ocean.I just recently bought a calcium reactor,water changes alone weren't enough for my every increasing acro collection.I won't keep going on and on which T5 fixture is best..etc.It's a well known fact that sunlight supply manufactures a very good,middle of market product.There is better fixtures..active cooling.ATI etc,but they are much more expensive.The lights and skimmer are 2 of the parts of a system that should not be skimped on,think ahead to the future.

 

I would definitely get a 6x54W and you can try an SPS up on the top of the reef and don't be surprised. I'm not big on brand names for fixtures as I have an 8x54 and 8x24 retrofit kit from www.buildyouraquarium.com I toss out the generic bulbs that come with it and buy the good ones like ATI and UVL I like a bluer look. Usually you get 10K daylights and 420 nm blue actinics and they are stark and overly bright for me. It cost about $22 for a great bulb that lasts 1 to 2 years. I paid $164 to the www.reefgeek.com that included shipping. The fixtures ran about $300 each for a canopy and those are 8 bulb units. That's not bad when you consider you won't need a chiller.

 

I have just picked up a TEK 8x54W for my 90g. With UVL bulbs, there will be nothing I cannot keep. I am waiting for it to come in the next few weeks and I tell ya, I cannot wait. I have owned a small nova and was not impressed with the workmanship. I would not say they are comparable. And I don't think a 4x is going to do much for your 90g. I wouldn't even consider less than 6x. Keep in mind, if you go through reefgeek, there is an option to have the bulbs included....of course at a reasonable price, but they are UVL bulbs (or ATI or Giesemann....they carry all three). You can mix and match from the varying colors to suit your wants and needs. IMHO it is more than worth the wait if you need to save up and wait. I waited for six months for the right situation (and bank account status of course). Things just sort of fell into place for me. So think about it.....

 

Tek is a better fixture... The reason why people will compare it to the Nova Extreme Pro with SLRs is that the NEP has active cooling which helps it perform almost as well as the Tek. When Tek adds the fans which should be soon, it will rock the NEPs face off...

I have seen people add their own fans to the Tek as well...

 

I certainly don't want to skimp on the lights. I'm trying to figure out how to fund a 6 bulb. With a 6 bulb and no calcium reactor could I keep a couple montis or staghorns up top?

 

Would a nova 6 bulb do the trick?