90g lighting

c_scherer123 · #1 08-06-2009, 09:46 PM

I have been debating for a couple months whether I should get the 6 bulb or 8 bulb Tek lighting for my 90g.
I am planning on mostly mushrooms, polyps, and other softies.
I notice my mushrooms in my 20g seem to find the one T-5 too bright and I have to hide them in the LR shadows, though my fire and ice polyp frag seems perfectly happy.

I am kind of leaning towards the 6-bulb to avoid burning my mushrooms. I also have no interest in SPS, anemones, clams, or other high light lovers.

What do you think?

Carmen · #2 08-06-2009, 09:53 PM

I have a 72G Bowfront approx same dimensions and find the 6 bulb more than adequate for softies/LPS. Infact too high in the tank is too bright for some like you were saying. For just softies 8 bulb may be overkill HOWEVER........ if you may change to SPS, clams, etc you will probably want the extra 2 bulbs!

mseepman · #3 08-06-2009, 10:11 PM

If you are thinking on only getting softies then you may be overdoing it with the TEK light completely. Why not save some dough and get a cheaper knockoff that will give you plenty of light for a softie tank...ie: Aquatraders or Fishneedit. Use the money to do something else for your tank.

Here's an example: http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-...es-p/52211.htm

c_scherer123 · #4 08-06-2009, 10:33 PM

I was going with TEK due their good reputation, low electricity use, and silent operation. The cost is higher, but they seem very reliable. (whose signature had the quote "the bitterness of failure long outlasts the joy of low price" or something like that?)

Hmm... Should I be considering a 4-bulb? I somehow don't think so...

I am basically only after mushrooms and polyps...

Doug · #5 08-06-2009, 10:59 PM

If your sure sps are not in the future then 6 would be fine. Eight would give you the punch and flexability for other corals. You could always run more bluer bulbs for now. I ran a 6 bulb {not Tek} over my 90 and it was plenty for most all corals, except sps from midway down.

And the are "quiet" because they dont have any active cooling. IMO, I would not run them without some form of cooling fan, even with them having no protective cover shield.

Carmen · #6 08-06-2009, 11:44 PM

I went from a 4 bulb to a 6 and I would think you would find a 4 not quite enough. Adequate if $ is a concern for sure but near the bottom is quite dim. I too do not have SPS but found even some softies did not seem "happiest" at the bottom under 4 bulb. You can see some comparisons in my pic thread although pictures don't seem to really capture the brightness well.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=45688

c_scherer123 · #7 08-06-2009, 11:56 PM

I wasn't aware that they lacked the fans...
*sigh* and here I thought I was close to ordering.

The Odyssea doesn't look bad, but a few reviews give a bad reputation for bursting into flames...

Is there a way to add fans to the Tek? I can get computer fans almost for free, is there a way to add them to the light?

Or can anyone suggest a light fixture which has a fan, is fairly reliable, and doesn't look bad hanging from the ceiling.

Doug · #8 08-07-2009, 01:00 AM

All they need is a fan somewhere blowing down the length of the bulbs. With no cover over the bulbs, this works fine. My friend cooled his 8 bulb Tec this way. Perhaps some dont even fan cool them, if they are hanging in the open??? I would not but maybe others do.

I really like the look of the ATI @ a couple of our sponsors. Thats what I would purchase myself if doing T-5,s again. But then they are much more moola.

Myka · #9 08-07-2009, 01:41 AM

For softies, I would think that a 4-bulb Tek would do the trick for you provided you are careful to pick bulbs with high PAR value. If you really like a bluer look then you may want more bulbs since blue lamps have less PAR. Be sure to replace T5s every 8 months too. I currently have 4 T5s over my 90, and they are only 36" (fixtures from a different tank), and they do a decent job of lighting the tank. I just use them for supplementals so they have blue lamps in them, and even then they are fairly bright.

lorenz0 · #10 08-07-2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

I really like the look of the ATI @ a couple of our sponsors. Thats what I would purchase myself if doing T-5,s again. But then they are much more moola.

ATI is an amazing fixture. The reflectors and ballasts are way better even compared to a modified TEK. Don't get me wrong TEK is still a "good" fixture and you get what you pay for. I am running a TEK right now with dreams of upgrading to a ATI which i wish i purchased in the first place.

Like Myka said a 4 bulb with the right choices in bulbs will be a great option for softies. With my 6 bulb and current bulb choice i would have to hide softies in dark corners just to keep them happy. I even have issues with LPS and they have to be lower in the tank.

Keep in mind, the SPS bug will catch on