Light Upgrade! Fun!

[tallreefguy]

I am looking to upgrade my lighting setup. I love my 2x250 watt halide with 14k phoenix bulbs. But the heat and power is killing me. It's pulling almost 600 watts (kill-a-watt meter)
I just bought a Wavepoint 4x24 watt T5HO for my 29ish bowfront tank and I love the colors I get with it!! (ATI Blue special, ATI blue plus, ATI ProColor, ATI Blue plus)
My Xenia and rose anemone are just a beautiful color with a tank that looks about 15k or so.

I was wanted to grab a T5HO fixture for my 90 gallon mixed reef: SPS to softies.
I was thinking either a 6x54 watt or a 8x54 watt fixture. Either ATI or Sunlight Supply Tek Elite. Wondering what your thought were on this and could advise.
I read somewhere that T5HO has more lumens per watt than halides. Does anyone know by how much?

[tallreefguy]

Or I suppose LED, but can that compare to 2x250 watt halides?

[TheFishMan65]

LEDs can compare especially if you are willing to do it yourself. Look at this thread and you will see some par reading for an LED fixture. 200 on the sand bed IIRC.
Taqpol's DIY LED prototype build, detailed pictures (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1826521&page=)

[rtparty]

I would run the 6x54w ATI Sunpower over your 90 gallon tank. It is a great fixture and will pack all the light your tank can handle.

[tallreefguy]

That custom LED was pretty nice. Not sure if I'd have the time to do all that though.
It seems like the 6x54 watt are comparable to 2x250 watt halides (Just from what I've read, no real data to back that statement up)
Is 8x54 watt too much light for the tank? (is that possible?)