I want to upgrade my lighting

[philly]

i currently have 2 65w 10,000k pc's, 2 65w atinic pc's. its a 90 gallon. i want to add some lighting not sure what, that i want to be able to keep lps, and softies maybe even sps. i want them to thrive. i want to add on to my Power Compact hood. what should i get?

 

[Brenden]

If you want to keep SPS then I would say without hesitation 2- 250w MH fixtures

 

[philly]

ok but will i be able to use them along with my current pc hood? if so which specific model?

 

[Brenden]

Are all 4 bulbs in one hood?

 

[philly]

yes, im going to order from jl aquatics. i was thinking of pushing my pc hood to the front of the tank and then mounting 2 of these

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-mh-pene.php?product_ID=MH-CPENA20

on the back of my tank

what do you think about that?

 

[Brenden]

Nice but pricey. also looks like those would put a lot of light into your room. I am guessing you have no canopy? Look into a MH only hood. Should be cheaper. What are tank dimensions?

 

[steve-s]

Don't put that light on a 90 gal tank, it won't work worth a hill 'o' beans. 150w HQI won't penetrate the depth of a 90 gal nearly at all especially with the way you have to mount those things. If you have a 4x65w hood or similar, there won't be enough room anyway.

You could get a retrofit from J&L for about 700.00- 800.00. Which would include 2x250w MH and Icecap fans. You already have the PC bulbs/PC ballast so you just need to DIY a canopy. The cost of the 2x150 Coralife units would be 600.00 so I don't see its as being much of a leap.

Cheers
Steve

 

[philly]

I know but that is so expensive! and i have no idea how to make my own canopy

im starting to question if all of this

does this retro fit look good?

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/cartpage.php

 

[Brenden]

Link does not work.

 

[swissfish]

Did you look at the T5's? They are as good as metal halides if they have the individual reflectors.
Check out this tank www.hausriff.ch, that guy is using only T5's.

 

[Tex]

Your link is no good.

 

[philly]

should i buy a t5 canopy then?

 

[20 20]

Your link is no good.

Try http://www.hausriff.ch/

 

[tecwzrd]

Google translated to English

 

[ZivioRR]

will the t5 give u the same rippling effect?

 

[swissfish]

Your link is no good.

www.hausriff.ch

The light layout is on the bottom of the page http://www.hausriff.ch/24181/13889.html

Pictures are here
http://www.hausriff.ch/4534/108355.html


No shimmering with t5's


unless you are using a disco ball

 

[steve-s]

T5HO is not as good as MH but it has a decent punch to it.

Are you looking to "add on" or replace your current set up? What coral species exactly do you want to keep?

Cheers
Steve

 

[philly]

sorry guys i chose not too spend all of my money on lights