Opinions on Lighting for a 90 Gallon

[speer]

I need a retrofit kit for canopy on a 90 gallon (48 inches long / tank is 25 inches deep). I'm mostly a softy and LPS guy but I might want to try my hand at SPS at some point. I've spent a lot of time reading forums, books, etc. Just curious if you were in my shoes what would you recommend for lighting? Thanks!

[junkstang]

2x250w SE MH coral-vue reeflux lamps and a 2 t5 actinic would be the way that i would go.

[RayAllen]

I agree 2x250w but from what ive seen I prefer DE bulbs over SE. DE bulbs are said to give you a higher PAR. Go 14-20k and you will not need Actinic supplementation unless wanted. Heres a good read

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage.aspx?PageAlias=lighting_metal_hali de_bulbs_information

[Joshua]

2x250 all the way, your softies will love it in the middle and toward the bottom and your SPS will love it up a little higher on the rocks. I'd go with a 14kk Phoenix lamp and I still prefer VHO over T5 for actinic supplementation.

[alton]

And the arguement continues: 2 x 250w Reeflux 12K SE and that's all.

[Fish4life]

I would consider 6x54w t5 retro with icecap reflectors and icecap ballasts. I would use ati bulbs with maybe a ge 65k bulb. I went from a 400w reeflux to this set-up and love it. I love the fact that you can play with the spectrum (target certain bulbs over certain corals). For example, I got my A. lovelli to change color from sky blue throughout, to sky blue tips and a red base (using an ati procolor bulb). Bulbs are cheaper. Bulbs are way more efficent, i save about 30 bucks a month on power. Plus the bulbs will not heat the room up as bad a MH, which would make the chiller work harder. The only major complaint about t5's is that they do not produce the shimmer that MH do. Not that I'm a hardcore t5 guy but i think its an option that you must consider. FYI, I have a stone garden taking up all 18 inches of depth in the 75g.

[ratboy]

I totally agree with fish4life. My current tank is too deep (36") to run anything less than MH, but when I had my 90gal I packed it w/ 8 icecap VHOs and it rocked. I kept clams and montiporas, birdsnest, etc but mostly had lps and softies. My friend had an 8 t5 setup over his 150 and kept pretty much everything - it was amazing!