Really Need Some Advice Here!

[saltydad]

Recently, my Coralife PC ballast died, and I'm considering other lighting systems.
I have a 90 gallon UniQuarium with "fish swimming space" dimensions of 47 inches long by 13 inches wide by 23 inches tall.
I only have live rock now, but would like to introduce corals and maybe even anemones and clams eventually.
My aquarium has a canopy, so I assume I'll need some kind of retrofit kit. I have read a lot of good things about T5s, but I'm not sure how many I need--I'd rather err on the side of too much light that too little. I'm hesitant about halides because of the expense and the heat produced, but I know they generate a lot of intense light.
I could REALLY use suggestions--the fish stores around here are either ignorant or out to sell you the most expensive stuff possible whether you need it or not!

 

[snakeblitz33]

you can get T5's nothing wrong with that. If you are going to get clams, I would get a Nova T5 Extreme 8x54 watt.
I have seen the effects of metal halides, and I would say go with those. You can get some really good 250 watt 10k MH's, and your clams/corals/sps corals will greatly appreciate it. Though, I do recommend backing it up with a T5 retrofit kit actinics.
I hope this helped.

 

[saltydad]

Thanks.
I am worried about the heat from the halides, though. I have a canopy, and I don't know if fans will be enough to keep things cool. And I don't want to deal with a chiller.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have a coupld of 250 watt MH's over a 55 gallon tank, backed by two 96 watt PC's. All I have is two computer fans blowing over it. It's not that bad of heat. That reef stays at about 78 degrees year round with no problems.
You better make sure that your canopy is at least 18 to 20 inches high for halides. If not, you can always add on or even suspend the canopy over the aquarium.
If you get the nova extreme, you are going to have to get rid of your canopy anyway. The nova won't fit into most traditional canopy's.

 

[saltydad]

bump

 

[dragonzim]

Get a TEK T5 retrofit with either 6 or 8 54 watt bulbs. You'll be able to keep whatever you want and not have to worry about heat.

 

[squishy]

You can do the metal halides and just mount some computer fans in your canopy. If you are planning sps and clams defentily go with the halides and with 23" tall tank you can get away with the 150s. Plus if you go with the right bulbs you won't need atinics.

 

[hunted]

Originally Posted by Squishy
You can do the metal halides and just mount some computer fans in your canopy. If you are planning sps and clams defentily go with the halides and with 23" tall tank you can get away with the 150s. Plus if you go with the right bulbs you won't need atinics.
Sorry squish but I have to disagree with you on the 150 metal halide for a 23" tank, you've seen mine with the 150 in the middle the light just makes it to the bottom, but it could be just me from where the two 400 are on eather side of it, but I can notice it when the 400's go out, but thats just my opinion

A 250 watt would be perfect

 

[saltydad]

I've purchased a 4-lamp T5 HO system, 54 watts each, 2 10000K and 2 actinic.
What will and won't I be able to grow with this system?
If necessary, I think I'll still have room for more lights later on.
Thanks so much for your help!