Budget lighting for a 90 gallon mixed reef

[Ryan03]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for lighting for my 90 gallon tank? I'm planning for a mixed reef although that would be some time from now since my tank is fairly new but I want to be able to grow sps along with lps and softies in the future. Currently I have 2 popbloom rl60 which I thought would cover (I'm new to the hobby) but they are barely enough for my zoas and acan right now let alone more demanding lps and sps. I am possibly looking to stay on a budget abd I know about ai hydras but was wondering if I could get any other lighting for cheaper? I saw the popbloom rl180/rl90 or the reef casa manta led. Not sure if anyone has had success with these but I'm open to other suggestions as well. Tank is 48"L x18"W x24"H and highest point of my rock work is at the 12 inch mark.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Your current lights are 60 watts each so total 120 watts on a 90 gallon. For perspective, I have a 100 watt light on a 32 gallon tank. I think your missing about 100 watts IMO, you should have somewhere around 200 watts on that size tank. Personally I like nicrew lights as the low budget option.

 

[Usarmy227]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for lighting for my 90 gallon tank? I'm planning for a mixed reef although that would be some time from now since my tank is fairly new but I want to be able to grow sps along with lps and softies in the future. Currently I have 2 popbloom rl60 which I thought would cover (I'm new to the hobby) but they are barely enough for my zoas and acan right now let alone more demanding lps and sps. I am possibly looking to stay on a budget abd I know about ai hydras but was wondering if I could get any other lighting for cheaper? I saw the popbloom rl180/rl90 or the reef casa manta led. Not sure if anyone has had success with these but I'm open to other suggestions as well. Tank is 48"L x18"W x24"H and highest point of my rock work is at the 12 inch mark.

I currently have a Pro Star 90 and run with
2x AI Prime 16HDs
1x Or4 Blue Plus (for the top and shadow spots)

My corals seem to grow pretty well. You can find quite a few deals on Primes .

 

[Josh Will]

Following!

 

[fish_collector]

ViparSpectra lights are $130 on Amazon delivered to your doorstep the next day. The intensity is fully adjustable for both white and blue channels and they have built in timers. No color mixing abilities except white and blue however. For the money they are fabulous, I have them over my SPS frag tank and grow corals with them.

A few years ago I did modify mine with some different diodes but that wasn't necessary, they still grew corals.

 

[markosharknz]

This is something that I'm currently struggling with.
Ancient AI lights, or Chinese options

120Lx55Wx60H tank so ~400L /110G ish

Too many options!
2x PopBloom RL180 lights $320 AUD each
3x Noopsyche NP K7 Pro V3s $219 AUD each
2x A8SE II $302 AUD each

 

[donlampkin]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for lighting for my 90 gallon tank? I'm planning for a mixed reef although that would be some time from now since my tank is fairly new but I want to be able to grow sps along with lps and softies in the future. Currently I have 2 popbloom rl60 which I thought would cover (I'm new to the hobby) but they are barely enough for my zoas and acan right now let alone more demanding lps and sps. I am possibly looking to stay on a budget abd I know about ai hydras but was wondering if I could get any other lighting for cheaper? I saw the popbloom rl180/rl90 or the reef casa manta led. Not sure if anyone has had success with these but I'm open to other suggestions as well. Tank is 48"L x18"W x24"H and highest point of my rock work is at the 12 inch mark.

I run 3 on the same size tank and run them @ 50% and thinking about turning them down a little, but I really love this light.
Check youtube.com to learn more.Reef rookies has a very good review on the RL60

 

[Josh Will]

This is something that I'm currently struggling with.
Ancient AI lights, or Chinese options

120Lx55Wx60H tank so ~400L /110G ish

Too many options!
2x PopBloom RL180 lights $320 AUD each
3x Noopsyche NP K7 Pro V3s $219 AUD each
2x A8SE II $302 AUD each

2x PopBloom RL90 (or RL115) would be ok. They are growing corals like crazy on one of my mixed reef tanks. Super impressed.

 

[Mebbid]

There's a radion xr30 knockoff for around $300 each. A8 II pro max. Seems to have good reviews and the pro is made with Cree LEDs. 2 of them could cover a 90g. They will be what I buy when I am ready to upgrade my lights.

 

[vlangel]

ReefBreeders Photons could cover a 90g. They aren't exactly budget but they are much less than Radions. I have them on my 75g and they are a great value and an excellent company.