Large Upgrade lighting help.

[mmstillwell01]

Hello,
I'm upgrading my 90 gallon reef tank to a 225 gallon tank.
I have 48 inch Current USA SunDial T5 HO 4x54W w/ Timers & LED over the 90 gallon tank for about 3 years now and my coral have been doing so good they are taking over my tank and my fish are getting less and less room to swim in, so I bought a 225 gallon tank thats 96" x 18" x 30"
I have two of these light fixtures,(only one on the 90) I was wondering if the same lights that have been doing so well in my 90 would still be good for a tank that much larger?
there are mostly soft coral in the tank but there is also a bubble tip anemone that has grown very large also, but he stays on the top of the rock I placed him there when I got him and he hasn't moved at all, well I should say he goes behind the rock at night and comes back out when the lights come back on.
My 90 is 48" x 18" x 24" do you think 6" deeper is going to affect the anemone and the coral?
Also I've never moved this anemone he was attached to a rock when I got him, I placed the rock on top of my rock and he moved from that rock to mine, so I'm not sure whats the best way to move him into the new tank, I dont want to hurt him or me

so if anyone can tell me the best way I would be very greatful. (His foot is stuck to the back wall and the rock so I cant just move the rock he is on.)

This is a picture of my 90 gallon about 6 months ago.
Thank you for your help.

 

[sweatervest13]

Hi there,
I have been to Gobles MI a few times and enjoy that area. A buddy has a cabin on a small lake there and my family has had some awesome times.
For the light questions. You said that you already have another identical fixture?? How old are the bulbs on each?
At first I want to say that you should be able to use the lights you currently have and get by with the new big tank (Congrats BTW on the Big Guy!!!!!). The lights should fit just fine on the new tank. The 6" of extra depth may not seem like much, but it is a lot of extra water the light needs to penetrate through to get to the sand bed. The soft corals you have should be just fine. The BTA, I don't know.. It is a bit iffy especially towards the bottom (just because he as stay put for a long time does not mean that it won't ever move).
Also, the replacement costs of 8 T-5 bulbs every 9 months to a year gets expensive after a few years. Have you researched LEDs?? 2Quills recently posted something in the Lighting section here that has an awesome link about LEDs compared to MH and T-5 lighting. Just a thought...
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/394986/understanding-led-technology-in-the-hobby#post_3516000
Again, I would say that you could most likely get by with the two units you have now at least until the bulbs need to be replaced, because you keep mostly soft low light hungry corals. This buys you some time to see if LED is right for you.
Can't wait to see the pics of the MONSTER tank!!!

 

[mmstillwell01]

What lake? I live on three legged lake.
I do have two fixtures, and I ordered new lights for both of them, I will change them before I put them on the new tank.
I will post pictures of the new tank as soon as the stand and canopy is built hoping for this weekend.
I have been looking into LED lights but I'm not sure about them yet, there are so many mixed reviews on them.
Do you use them?
Thanks for your input.

 

[sweatervest13]

Mill Lake I think. Beautiful area!!
Good deals with using the current light fixtures. Why go spend extra money when you have something that will work.
I do use LEDs, I use a reefbreeders fixture (IT2080). I have two of them over my 125g reef. I have had them up since early January, so far I like them. They are not a super high end fixture so only time will tell exactly how well they work.