Aquarium Lighting

[firedave]

I have a 90 gall tank that I want to begin adding soft corals. I have been told that I will need 4 watts per gal for proper lighting. Does that sound pretty close? If so, I will really need to kick it up a notch.

 

[cindyski]

lighting, hmmm this is a huge topic, you should search it. there are SOOOO many opinions on here and different boards. this board will for sure tell you to get MH lights. and i didnt, i am going with 6- 160W VHO's on a 125 (dont have it yet, still on order)
some are going to tell you watts per gallon is not what you are really looking for, it is the intesity of light. soft corals do fine with less intesity but clams and such need more
you say you have 4w per gallon, but what kind of lights do you have? with the set up i mentioned, i will end up with i think 8-9w per gallon.
i am extremely frustrated over the lighting topic and i am sure a more experienced hobbiest will chime in and confuse the *&%$& out of you.
sorry if i was of no help, but hope you do a lighting search here

 

[reefnut]

For soft corals around 4wpg of VHO or Power compact lighting will be fine. Is your tank 48"? If so 4- 48" 110w VHOs or 4- 96w PC would do nicely IMO for softies.

 

[harley387]

All good advice, but you will want to upgrade later. Save yourself some money, and buy the MH now.