How much lighting is recommended?

Cubman777 · #1 10/13/2005, 09:00 AM

I am curious as to how much lighting I should have for my system. I have a standard 90 gallon (like the 75 g, but taller) that contains primarily LPS and softies. I currently have 510 total watts (250 metal halide, and 260 compact flourescent). This system is fine except for one thing, my MH is a retrofit, and my CF is in a hood. I did not intend to have lighting like this, I more or less fell into it. It is effective, but it is also a pain to get into the tank.
So my replacement goal is this, get a retrofit that contains 2 MH's and 2 VHO's. THe problem is that I dont know how much wattage to get for the MH's - 150, 175, or 250? How much will the corals take? How much is necessary before I am just pointlessly running up my electric bill?
Another factor in this is the cost. For me, since I already have one 250 that I could just transfer to the new setup, getting the setup with 250 watts would actually be cheaper for me. (at least in the short term which is all that I really care about since I am finishing up school)

I am also considering one of those hanging Aqua lightfixtures.

Any thoughts at all are more than welcome.
Thanking everyone in advance,

Cubman

If only I could change the Cubs fortune as easily as my lights. . .

ALTI · #2 10/13/2005, 09:07 AM

u should build a canopy, remove the pc's and buy another 250 watt mh. mount them all to the inside of the canopy. thats probably the cheapest way. i have 2x175 watt mh and 4x96 watt pc's over my 90 gal. workes great. i think the 250's are better since the tank is 24" tall. that setup would allow u to keep just about anything u wanted.

Cubman777 · #3 10/13/2005, 10:35 AM

I do have a canopy which is why I am looking into the retrofit kit, I guess another one of my concerns is that it would be too much light if I had the 2 x 250 MH's and the 2 VHO's. I am just concerned about frying some of my corals.
thanx.

ALTI · #4 10/13/2005, 10:48 AM

as long as u properly acclimate they should be fine.

Cubman777 · #5 10/13/2005, 10:58 AM

Thanks ALTI.

N E 1 else have any thoughts, no offense ALTI, its just an expensive decision and I am trying to get a consensus.

ridinfast03 · #6 10/13/2005, 11:50 AM

Lighting doesn't really have strict requirements as far as how much, but of course we all know what just isn't enough. Just be creative with a hood or canopy. I would try to find a member from RC in your local area that might be able to help or have pics of similar projects.

Cubman777 · #7 10/13/2005, 07:07 PM

thanks, I'll do that