my lighting is it good enough

[blacktop pete]

i have a current lighting system on my newly started 90gal reef tank.it has 3 t5 ho 54w/46nm actinic bulbs + 3t5 ho 54w 10kk bulbs. i have acouple of leathers,shrooms,polyps all doing well at this time. would like to add more corals is this lighting system up to par.

 

[aztec reef]

For a 90g? No.. its not up to par..
The only thing youll be able to keep healthy is the current species of corals you have(softies).
Your current lighting system is not up to PAR for LPS/SPS...

 

[blacktop pete]

would i have to get a new lighting system or can i get different bulbs to bring it up to par. any recommendations

 

[aztec reef]

Personally, im not fond of T5's.. Yet, some people swear by them.
If i were you, i would get a different unit with two 400w mhs or even better three 400w mhs.. 1 10k-14k bulb + 1 20k bulb.. Or 2 10k-14k + 1 20k.
The choice is up to you, youll just need to get at least 1 daylight flavor and 1 lunar flavor(actinic).. this will enable you to keep almost anything.
The current unit you have is pretty much the optimal PAR of T5's..

 

[jerryatrick]

Originally Posted by blacktop pete
http:///forum/post/2896426
would i have to get a new lighting system or can i get different bulbs to bring it up to par. any recommendations
Post a little bit more info on the light fixture that you currently have. Make and model.

 

[kube]

individual reflectors or one reflector and how deep is your tank

 

[blacktop pete]

the make is current, it has individual reflectors. the tank 25in deep

 

[jerryatrick]

Originally Posted by blacktop pete
http:///forum/post/2897048
the make is current, it has individual reflectors. the tank 25in deep
You can keep LPS for sure and if you like SPS I would say yes to up high in the tank.

 

[chowtownreefer]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
http:///forum/post/2896823
Personally, im not fond of T5's.. Yet, some people swear by them.
If i were you, i would get a different unit with two 400w mhs or even better three 400w mhs.. 1 10k-14k bulb + 1 20k bulb.. Or 2 10k-14k + 1 20k.
The choice is up to you, youll just need to get at least 1 daylight flavor and 1 lunar flavor(actinic).. this will enable you to keep almost anything.
The current unit you have is pretty much the optimal PAR of T5's..

are you saying putting three 400 watt mhs on a 90 gal? if so... thats pretty crazy.... and a waste of energy...

 

[blacktop pete]

thank you for the advice, well appreciated.

 

[mr_x]

Originally Posted by chowtownreefer
http:///forum/post/2897402
are you saying putting three 400 watt mhs on a 90 gal? if so... thats pretty crazy.... and a waste of energy...
agreed. 2 x 250 watt halides is plenty for a 90. i also think if you have 6 x 54 watts of individually reflected t-5's you can keep some lps also....and, if your rockwork reaches the upper 1/3 of the tank, you can probably keep sps too.

 

[blacktop pete]

thanks x, the lr reaches the top i have about 150lbs.