90 gal lighting advice

[skeletalmachine]

Hey, this is my first post, I am new to the forum.

I am in the process of setting up a 90 gallon planted tank (18w x 48l x 24d). I have pressurized co2, flourite substrate and I am planning on densly planting. After searching through MANY old posts I am still very confused on what to do for lighting. I currently have a 95 watt CF fixture but I know that this will not be enough. How much more light do I need? I would like to be able to grow a glosso carpet. Any fixture I add, or replace the current one with, will have to be less than 44" wide to fit in my hood.

I was considering ordering from AH supply since the prices are good and thier reputation on here is even better.

[fshfanatic]

You should be able to fill that hood nicely with AHS equiptment. I would shoot for around 3+wpg

[tazcrash69]

a 4 X 65 AH supply place should light that tank pretty well. It will give you about 2.9 watts per gallon.

BTW, love the AH Supply

[Brilliant]

130wx2 works good for me...I swapped out the actinic but I dont run two bulbs all the time.

No glosso just vals swords and anything else that survives with Discus temps and no ferts.

Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Orbit Extreme Compact Fluorescent Lunar Lights

LOL act quick and get a free Tshirt and timer...
The price seemed to go up on this fixture..

[Jason Baliban]

If money is not a concern, i would get in this order:

-2x150MH pendents
or
-4x54 tek light from ReefGeek | Aquarium Supplies for Marine, Reef, and Saltwater Aquariums
or
-4x55 PC from ahsupply

jB

[TWood]

I have a 90 gallon with that depth, and getting a carpet plant like glosso to do well will require lighting with some punch. There seems to be movement toward combo units of HID (like metal halide or HQI) combined with flourescent. The HID is run for a short period of time, while the flourescent provides longer viewing at lower intensity. If you have a hood that has room:

I'd go with one of these:



Combined with two of these:



Or all in one fixtures similar to these:

[attack11]

t5h0 bulbs might be ideal for you, 3 or 4 in a hood and you're set. 2 x mh will produce a lot of heat if it's contained in a hood, you'd need cooling fans.

one mh bulb (mogul or hqi base) will not light up 48" well without a reflector designed for that space. one will cover around 36" pretty well, but being point source the edges aren't as bright obviously.

two lumenarc3 style reflectors and you'd be set.

[Momotaro]

I like Jason's TEK T5 suggestion.

Mike

[skeletalmachine]

So general consensus is that I will need 200 - 250 watts of T5HO or CF lighting? Is that in addition to the 95w CF light I already have?

[Brilliant]

Originally Posted by skeletalmachine

So general consensus is that I will need 200 - 250 watts of T5HO or CF lighting? Is that in addition to the 95w CF light I already have?

Well like I said I have 260w of CF and I dont think I will be growing glosso. I did have 2x150w metal halides on the tank before and that illuminated the gravel much better.

I like the other recommendations too specifically this because I am partial to Current USA fixtures
Reef Aquarium Lighting: Outer Orbit HQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Fixture

[skeletalmachine]

Originally Posted by Brilliant

Well like I said I have 260w of CF and I dont think I will be growing glosso. I did have 2x150w metal halides on the tank before and that illuminated the gravel much better.

I like the other recommendations too specifically this because I am partial to Current USA fixtures
Reef Aquarium Lighting: Outer Orbit HQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Fixture

Those fixtures are very nice but also very expensive. My budget is < $300.

[mrbelvedere]

I suggest buying horticultural grade metal halide. It is a hell of a lot cheaper, although often less attractive fixtures.

[Jason Baliban]

This is the way you want to go....

ReefGeek | Sunlight Supply | 48" Tek Light: 4-54W T5 HO Fluorescents (Black)

Or the 6x54 fixture....

jB

[lewisjl481]

I have been able to grow just about anything in the same size tank with the 4x55w AH Supply kit. I filled it with 9325k bulbs and anything I've put in there has thrived.

[Ibn]

Another vote for the 4x54W T5HO. At least that's what I'd do if I had a tank that length. My 90 gallon is a different length than the standard 90 so I had to go with the shorter bulbs.