Need help on lighting 90gal

[Jmyers]

I have a 90gal saltwater aquarium I would like to upgraded my lights so that I could have coral. Just wanted to get some opinions.

[charlie]

I had this fixture on my 80, which is about the same size:
Current USA Nova Extreme T5HO

If I had it to do over again, I would have done this fixture:
Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 10k/460nm Actinics

If you could give us a few more particulars about your tank, meaning amount of live rock you have, sand bed?, what types of coral you want, it would help us out a little more.

[Bloodydecks]

remember, the new lights will have an affect on your water temp. If you don't already have one, You may also want to get a chiller.

[Parrothead]

Actually the T5 HO set-ups give you just as much if not more light than vho's etc, and are a lot cooler, as well as being very energy eff.

[Bloodydecks]

Parrot,

The poster asked about lights..he was given a few choices by another poster (both of which are good products)..but there are many factors to think about before one should give a suggestions, as not all lighting fixutres are applicable for all aquariums uses and needs.

Thats the problem with internet forums....you never know all the details, and when it comes to aquariums, details are key, but always different form one tank to the other..so I try and give answers (help) that may be "broad" in range, but specific enough to help with the general question (as you never know all the details)....in this case, the lighting questions was answered, but other aspect of "lighting" that will have an affect on the tank were not addressed. Such as water temps. So this is where i decided to offer help, as it would apply to almost any situation, even with out further details.

Other factors I chose not to address were, Is the tank (lids) open or closed. What kind of corals did the poster plan on trying to keep....how high is the rock stacked...these all play a factor in what type of light to purchase.

The lights listed, and you commented on....
They are great lights, and do put off less heat, but if they are used inside of a canopy, especially a non vented canopy, they will significantly raise the aquarium temp. If they are simply placed across the top of the tank, using the raised supports, the temps normally would not be a effected.

I am a canopy guy, so I always assume that any lights being used are going inside of a canopy.

[Parrothead]

Most of the reef tanks that I know have and have seen in person, do not have lids, if they do have lids it is usually eggcrate(to keep most jumpers in), this type of set up aids the tank system in a better oxygen exchange do to the open air, it also aids in cooling the tank as most people do keep there homes around 75 - 76 degrees. Yes, there are people who have canopies and those are the ones that must pay attn to the tank temp more carefully, even if it is vented, you have restricted the air flow. JMHO

[acer]

I use 4 x 110 watt VHO's with 2x 54 watt T5's - they have separate timers with the T5's coming on first for several hours , then the VHO's come on which makes them both on for about 6 hours, then the T5's shut off and the VHO's stay on for several hours alone. With a 5" icecap fan in my canopy pushing air flow the water temp stays at 78- 82 degrees. However, I keep the house at 74 degrees in the summer, 68 in the winter. This provides both great looking lighting, decent growth of pretty much any coral ( even most sps), and yet does not require a chiller.