Need Help deciding which Lighting to use.

[Miltonic]

After months of planning and almost being done purchasing everything I need to start my first reef. Im still struggling on which lighting fixture to buy for my tank. I want a powerful enough lighting system for all types of corals so I won't have to update my lighting once I become for experienced and be able to keep SPS corals/Anemones. Im open to any type type being MH or T5, only thing im not that open about is price and im looking to spend up to 1k. My tank is a 90 gallon oceanic reef ready tank (48x24x18) as many of you know from reading my chronicle. So what would you guys recommend?

I was looking at this ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) and this ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]!_Bulbs_by_ATI) fixtures but not sure yet.

[travie]

Definitely get a T5 unit that has individual reflectors. You will have to keep most corals (except most softies) in top half of the tank with that lighting, imo.

[Miltonic]

Im really leaning towards the ATI right now since it comes with everything you need out of the box unlike the other which I would need to buy bulbs/hanging kit separately, which would probably end up costing the same in the end.

[coachfraley]

If you can afford it, get the ATI for sure.

If you need to save $, you might be able to get the Tek used, with a mounting kit.

[Miltonic]

i'll be getting a small loan from my parents to get it as soon as figure the best bulb combo. Im so glad I don't have to wait and save up for it, instead I get to pay my parents back.

Heres a link ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) to their bulb options and I get to pick but I don't which, all I know is that I need 54w bulbs.

If anyone could help me it would be great.

[cocoa_pleco]

personally i would go with 4 actinic bulbs and 4 14k bulbs. i like a blue look.

if you dont like blue so much, i would go with 4 10k and 4 actinic, or 5 10k and 3 actinic

[coachfraley]

I agree with Cocoa on the 14k's being a good choice. I would probably go with:

2x 14K
2x 10k
2x pure actinic
2x super actinic

[Miltonic]

I like the blue color look in the water also, so i'll probably be picking out what you guys recommended:D thanks for the help.

[Halelorf]

I also agree with T-5 over halides. While halides really are good and give the cool water twinkle, the different bulb configurations and lower heat from T-5 is better in my opinion. The only thing I would say is to find a unit with good individual bulb reflectors, a goo ballast, and a internal cooling fan. The ATI would be a great choice a Tek would be another.

[Miltonic]

yep I went for T5's because they are cooloer and don't use as much power. I ordered the ATI's yesterday and they should arrive here next Wednesday.

I went with this bulb config.

3 -- ATI Blue Plus
2 -- UV Lighting Super Actinic
1 -- ATI 12000K Aquablue
1 -- UV Lighting 10000K AquaSun
1 -- UV Lighting 75-25 Aquablue

It should give my tank a very nice blue color.

[Halelorf]

Great bulb choices, I use a lot of those on my nano reef.

[jimpierce]

I really like my T-5 on my 40g breeder. I got the Nova Extreme Pro. The ATI is pretty much top of the line for T-5 fixtures. With my 6 tube fixture I went with

the front of the tank
ATI blue plus
ATI true actinic
UVL 10000k Aquasun
ATI blue plus
UVL 75/25
ATI Aqua blue

It puts out great light and is a little more blue looking then my 14k MH was.