Diggler's Weird 90 Gallon Reef Tank

[DirtDiggler2823]

You should be good to go for softies (zoas, leathers and mushrooms etc..), LPS (chalice, acans, blastos, torches etc..) and maybe even some SPS under your current lights with ATI bulbs.
Your wont have much luck with SPS like Acropora but maybe Montipora or Stylophora if you place them right and give them good flow.

One of the things I've learned over the years is a mixed tank is much harder to setup and dial in than an LPS or SPS specific tank. You have to consider lighting, flow and placement for all your corals.

But I though acans were LPS. They should be good with lowish light and flow. Yes?

 

[Diamond1]

Yes.
Like I said you should be good for most LPS with your current light.
You just need to watch your placement and flow requirements.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Yes.
Like I said you should be good for most LPS with your current light.
You just need to watch your placement and flow requirements.

Super. Looking forward to getting this thing going.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What you have now is more than enough for pretty much anything.

“ sps”, “lps” and “softie” have ZERO to do with light requirements.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

What you have now is more than enough for pretty much anything.

“ sps”, “lps” and “softie” have ZERO to do with light requirements.

Whaaaaaaat?

 

[ReeferReefer]

I am using an sBar from SBReefLights on my 90 gallon, in conjunction with a 6 bulb t5 fixture. I really like the sBar as it gives that Royal Blue pop that I like in leds. I will say that the coverage is lacking so you may need to raise it up higher or get two.

Not sure how the spread is on ReefBrite or Orphek bars.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Whaaaaaaat?

Yup.
Acros like a higher light, but , not all of them.
Many leathers need as much as those acros, but will take less.
Zoas like 100 par or more.
I have had Xenia in 800+par

Once you get the light on the tank.
Get one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunche-Profe...ocphy=9061098&hvtargid=pla-505585159192&psc=1

Meter at the top of the water.
Devide the lux by 50.
If you have 400 par at the surface of the tank you have a low light tank.
If you have 800 par at the surface you have a med high light tank.
My 55g standard had 4 ati t5 on good ballasts (8-9in from the water) and was about 800par.
Or 40,000 lux.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Yup.
Acros like a higher light, but , not all of them.
Many leathers need as much as those acros, but will take less.
Zoas like 100 par or more.
I have had Xenia in 800+par

Once you get the light on the tank.
Get one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunche-Profe...ocphy=9061098&hvtargid=pla-505585159192&psc=1

Meter at the top of the water.
Devide the lux by 50.
If you have 400 par at the surface of the tank you have a low light tank.
If you have 800 par at the surface you have a med high light tank.
My 55g standard had 4 ati t5 on good ballasts (8-9in from the water) and was about 800par.
Or 40,000 lux.

Well, that is encouraging. I had been confusing acans and acros for just about this entire conversation, so it's good to know that the acans I've been wanting are safe to get.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Well, that is encouraging. I had been confusing acans and acros for just about this entire conversation, so it's good to know that the acans I've been wanting are safe to get.

If you wind up on the higher end the better IMO.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

If you wind up on the higher end the better IMO.

I have a phone app for lux, so I'll see if that works.

 

[count krunk]

use the t5s, and see how it goes.

T5's are great. BRS did a great video on bulb life (believe you can go like 15 months or so)

when it comes to corals, its much more than just light. 4x t5 on a 90g is a great place to start.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

use the t5s, and see how it goes.

T5's are great. BRS did a great video on bulb life (believe you can go like 15 months or so)

when it comes to corals, its much more than just light. 4x t5 on a 90g is a great place to start.

Awesome

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have a phone app for lux, so I'll see if that works.

It doesn’t.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

I tried using a lux app on my phone and had zero luck with it. Readings were so far off the charts and inconsistent it wasn't worth it. BRS now rents PAR meters so you can go that route too if you want but it's very hard to find them in stock for rental.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

It doesn’t.

Good to know

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I tried using a lux app on my phone and had zero luck with it. Readings were so far off the charts and inconsistent it wasn't worth it. BRS now rents PAR meters so you can go that route too if you want but it's very hard to find them in stock for rental.

This is what I got from the app when the phone was 9 inches from the lights

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

This is what I got from the app when the phone was 9 inches from the lights

It’s complicated as to why, but it should be much more.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I tried using a lux app on my phone and had zero luck with it. Readings were so far off the charts and inconsistent it wasn't worth it. BRS now rents PAR meters so you can go that route too if you want but it's very hard to find them in stock for rental.

Try the $16 lux meter.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Try the $16 lux meter.

I'll give it a go

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'll give it a go

As you later transition into diffent lights and led, you’ll appreciate it.

You can also watch the new t5 s as they break in , operate and then degrade over time.

Not to mention take it to the lfs to estimate how much light they use.