24 inch tall 90 gallon lighting question

[Jeremy VanderKelen]

So I scored this 90 gallon tank(thread about it in the general tank discusion forum)


and now I have the decision to make on the lighting. Just did t5ho retrofit in my 60 gallon and it turned out sweet so I am pretty sure I want to go retrofit again.

I am thinking that 6 54w t5ho won't be enough for low-growing foreground plants. Opinions on that? Are the t5 vho strong enough? Does the overdrive help out that much?

So far I have been leaning towards 2 54w t5ho ran all day with 2 metal halides for the burst. I am aware that with those under hoods I will have to buy some nicer fans. I was looking at a 2 175w Icecap metal halide retrofit kit at Reefgeek that I know would be sweet but carries a mean price tag.

Any ideas on a lighting situation for this tank would be awesome.

[Saraja87]

Your tank is short. That sounds way overkill on lighting to me.

[lauraleellbp]

I run no more than 108 watts of T5HO over my own 90gal tank, and only 54 watts several days a week. E. tenellus carpet is filling in pretty well. IMO you don't need more than 4x54 as long as the fixture/retrofit has good reflectors. That plus good CO2 and IMO you should be able to grow just about any plant you want.

[alan j t]

with the 6 tube thats 3 n a half wpg
how about just one MH for a noon burst

[Saraja87]

The watt per gallon rule does not apply to large tanks.

[Saraja87]

How about you try 4 T5HO on there and see how you like it first. My guess is there won't be a plant you can't grow and your energy bill will thank you.

When you have that short a tank, penetration really isn't an issue and that metal halide will be way too much lighting. If you want to try it out later after you have a densely planted tank and a ton of CO2 going you could give it a try but I really don't think you're going to need it.

I added only two T5HO bulbs to my 30+inch deep 110 (it had PC lighting that doesn't penetrate very well) and I can grow all my plants in there on just those two bulbs, including the high light ones. You don't want to go overkill on your lighting and I think those 4 bulbs will probably keep you in perfect shape.

[epicfish]

4x54W with individual reflectors will suffice.

[Jeremy VanderKelen]

So I will stay with the t5ho's and with individual reflectors of course. I did the sunlight supply 4 54w t5ho with tek 2 reflectors from Reefgeek on the last setup. Any suggestions on a different company or setup or should I just run with the same one to keep it consistant? Kind of like trying different product though so suggestions would be awesome. Thanks everyone.