farmertodd said :

Really it all depends on what animals you want to keep Kimber, and also realizing that you have a very tall tank for the footprint.  If you're going to keep with the animal community you're using, 150 (HQI) or 175 (mogul or HQI) watt will do the trick. 

In a deep tank like that, if you plan on delving into some SPS, you're really going to need to think 250 unless you promise yourself to stick with Montipora digitata and capricornis like animals.  And really, if you were planning on doing all SPS in a tall tank like that I'd only think 400 watt would be appropriate (but I'd never start with a tall tank like a 90, my preference is for shorter, deeper (front to back) tanks).  My dream tank is 72 x 36 x 20 with a 4-5" sandbed  :)

The fans and circulation are a good idea regardless.  People make a huge correlative mistake about what is radiation and what is actually heat, and I guarantee watt for watt your floro's are putting off nearly as much oxygen sucking heat as any halide (without the benefit of the extra PAR!). 

Try it for yourself with halides some time.  Put your hand about 6-12" under a halide lamp.  You feel the "heat", right?  Now put a big ol' fan blowing in the direction away from you and the halide lamp.  Now what do you feel?  Now try the same experiment under a series of equal wattage florescents. 

Yeah, I've seen that look before  ;)

The "heat" you felt under the halides with the fan is what the coral animals and their symbionts are after.  It's not all within the range you want (some is IR) but a good portion of the spectrum has been engineered to be so in the first year or so of the lamp's use. 

If it were me and I wasn't going to budge on getting a different canopy, I'd talk to Rob.  Or if my wife didn't find it acceptable to just slap some 1x6's and 1x8's together and call it a canopy... I'd talk to Rob  :)

Todd

I'm back to looking at lights - again.  I'm having RJ build me a new, deeper canopy with built in cooling fans.  I'm trying to figure out the best retrofit and the most reliable brand.  Currently considering a Coralife System with 2 -150 W 10K MH, 2 - 96W Actinic CF and 4-470 nm Blue Moon LEDs.  Your thoughts?  Advantages of 10K vs 14K MH?  I'm currently running 4 65W PC + 1 96W PC = 354W total.  The new system I'm looking at would give me 498W total.

Also, I definately want to replace "Clyde" the clam.

Kimber

Are you looking for a complete fixture or a retrofit kit? Personally I think there are better choices out there for an $800+ lighting unit.

Two 250w Icecap retrofits with 14k Phoenix bulbs would run about $700. A T5HO 2x54 retrofit would run around $125-$150. You're still in the ballpark of a Coralife but with better bulbs, ballasts, and more light.

Also if you are not opposed to used equipment, Michigan Reefers has tons of people selling fixtures all the time. Someone just post a 6' Hamilton MH Retro, 2x250w (new bulbs) and CF for $400. Just cut down the reflector to 4' and you're good to go. Or buy two new pendants/spider reflectors and hook them up.

I just haven't seen many people with Coralife units. The bulbs aren't that great, ballasts are good but not great.

Burks said :

Are you looking for a complete fixture or a retrofit kit? Personally I think there are better choices out there for an $800+ lighting unit.

Two 250w Icecap retrofits with 14k Phoenix bulbs would run about $700. A T5HO 2x54 retrofit would run around $125-$150. You're still in the ballpark of a Coralife but with better bulbs, ballasts, and more light.

Also if you are not opposed to used equipment, Michigan Reefers has tons of people selling fixtures all the time. Someone just post a 6' Hamilton MH Retro, 2x250w (new bulbs) and CF for $400. Just cut down the reflector to 4' and you're good to go. Or buy two new pendants/spider reflectors and hook them up.

I just haven't seen many people with Coralife units. The bulbs aren't that great, ballasts are good but not great.

Thanks for your suggestions, Burk.  I'll give all that some thought.  I'm looking for a retrofit all-in-one (MH, CF and lunar combo).  Not opposed to used equipoment.  Just  don't know enough quite yet to make the best decision.  I've never heard of "Icecap retrofits" or "Phoenix Bulbs".  Will need to do some research on those.  Sounds like Michigan Reefers is a good place to check for options, as well.

Icecap is like THE company for ballasts. When people burn out their stock ballast, they replace them with Icecap.

Phoenix bulbs are just high end bulbs is all. The 14k has the look of a 20k but a really high PAR rating. A lot of people use them.

Now if you went with single end MH bulbs, you might want to check out Reeflux 12k's. Really high PAR rating but also has a nice amount of blue to them. Not sure if you like a really blue tank or sort of a white with a little blue. Lots of people use the Reeflux 12k as well as the Radium 20k.

I just bought a new (to me) lite from MR it is 72" 6x96W CF for $200 and I am very happy with it it is on my 125 right now and looks great it is a coralife but I will change out the bulbs soon. Keep an eye on the for sale thread and you can get some great deals on lighting

KimberlyBrug said :

 

Todd,

 

I'm back to looking at lights - again.  I'm having RJ build me a new, deeper canopy with built in cooling fans.  I'm trying to figure out the best retrofit and the most reliable brand.  Currently considering a Coralife System with 2 -150 W 10K MH, 2 - 96W Actinic CF and 4-470 nm Blue Moon LEDs.  Your thoughts?  Advantages of 10K vs 14K MH?  I'm currently running 4 65W PC + 1 96W PC = 354W total.  The new system I'm looking at would give me 498W total.

Also, I definately want to replace "Clyde" the clam.

Kimber

I have that exact same Coralife System and I love it, and my corals seem to grow great under it. 

Aquatic Aquaman said :

KimberlyBrug said :

Thanks, Scott.  That gives me a vote of confidence.  I'm now considering a Current Outer Orbit system with 2-150 10K MH and 4-65 W T-5 Actinics and 18 lunars.  How is your algae growth under the intensity of light in your system.  Did you convert from PC to the Coralife System or did you start with MH?  I'm really worried I'm going to through everybody into serious shock and my tank is absolutely gorgeous now,  I'd hate to lose things in the transition.

Todd,

 

I'm back to looking at lights - again.  I'm having RJ build me a new, deeper canopy with built in cooling fans.  I'm trying to figure out the best retrofit and the most reliable brand.  Currently considering a Coralife System with 2 -150 W 10K MH, 2 - 96W Actinic CF and 4-470 nm Blue Moon LEDs.  Your thoughts?  Advantages of 10K vs 14K MH?  I'm currently running 4 65W PC + 1 96W PC = 354W total.  The new system I'm looking at would give me 498W total.

Also, I definately want to replace "Clyde" the clam.

Kimber

I have that exact same Coralife System and I love it, and my corals seem to grow great under it. 

Hey KimerlyBrug, did you get your new light fixture yet?

I have your canopy nearly ready, I'd like to deliver it on Thurs. afternoon sometime if that works for you. Let me know. 

RJS8540 said :

Hey KimerlyBrug, did you get your new light fixture yet?

I have your canopy nearly ready, I'd like to deliver it on Thurs. afternoon sometime if that works for you. Let me know. 

They just arrived yesterday and I got the box unpacked last night.  One broken T0-5 bulb.  Will call the company today.  Cord comes out the back left corner.  You may want to stop by my place to check it out.  I'm in Fort Wayne today so I will make an effort to contact you by phone.  Thursday I'm working local so delivery that evening will work for me.

Kimber

I just got back from Kimber's place(picked up her dog- I'm her dogsitter) and checked out the hood and lights.

OOOHH MAN!  I thought I had tank-envy BEFORE!  That light system is SO very cool!  And RJ's hood is gorgeous(and so intricate, all the details here and there he did to custom-fit it for that light system.  I know we support one another anyhow,but seriously, his work is GOOD.

NICE JOB RJ & KIMBER!