Lighting on my non nano

[TimSchmidt]

I have my 90 gallon up and running and it currently is a FOWLR. But, I always knew I wanted to have coral so I am looking at lighting and think I have found a rather nice retro kit to install in my canopy. But I would like all of you thoughts and opinions.

I am thinking 2 x 250 watt MH Phoenix 14,000k bulbs and 2 x 54 watt HO T5 TRU actinic bulbs. All lights would have parabolic reflectors and so on. But in your opinion would this be enough (or too much) light for a clam to be placed on my sand bed? Other than the clam I would have a plate, pulsing xenia, frogspawn, bubble (on opposite ends of the tank), and after I install a SCWD I want some acro (branched stuff, LOL so I haven't studied them enough yet...) and then that plate type coral, looks a bit like a ledge of coral.

So is this too little, just right, or overkill?

Last silly question I have just a little over 48 inches of actual real estate in my canopy, are 48 inch T5s actually 48 inches or are they really over 48 due to end caps and so on?

 

[mrfipp]

I believe they are actually less than 48", bulb wise. End caps vary in size. I think that lighting would be pretty good for a 90 gallon tank. I definitely don't think it is overkill. be careful of heat and intense lighting at the top of the tank. MH lights penetrate water pretty readily, so the best IMO is to have them a little bit higher off the water. Even up to a few feet over water. SCWD is a good idea.

 

[reefman23]

That is exactly the lighting i would run on that tank if it were mine except I would probably run ATI Blue Plus T5's. True actinics lamps would be cool though.

Jesse

 

[TimSchmidt]

Well after much research I have installed my T5 lights with independent reflectors instead of metal halide. For the best use inside the hood these lights are awesome. 6 bulbs at 54 watts each, 3 actinic, 3 10,000k. When I change out bulbs next year I plan on using a better mix (UVL and Geismen I think).