lighting 125

[yeame]

what would be better 2-250w and 1-400w or 4-250w on a 125g tank

 

[fishypets]

I have two 400W on my 125

 

[mg426]

WOW either setup should rock that tank.!!!!

 

[Fast Fred]

I have (3) 250w on my 125g. Looks great.

 

[Blown 346]

On a normal 24" deep 125, 250 watt halides will do the trick for SPS,LPS, clams etc.
400's are mainly used for tanks 48" deep and deeper. I dont have anything against 400 watt halides but they get real hot and can easily bleach corals.

The 250 watt halides are good for tanks up to 30" deep with mixed corals,SPS,LPS,clams etc.
The 400 wat halides for tanks up to 48"deep with SPS,clams etc.

 

[yeame]

so 3-250w or 4-250w

 

[ambaratur]

FYI - I know you did not ask me but the standard 125 is only 22 inches tall not 24. (Not that it makes a big difference but it is a little bit.)

 

[Blown 346]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7381498#post7381498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yeame
so 3-250w or 4-250w

A rule of thumb to go by is every halide for each 2 feet of space.
So you will be fine with 3 250's

 

[120reeferman]

what bulbs would you use with them? im currently in the same boat...lol also could i use the home depot 250w mh lights and convert them to work in a canopy?

 

[hahnmeister]

OR, 6x 80watt T5s!!!

 

[chicagoman_35]

I have 4 250's on my 125 and love it! I am about to add 2- 54w T5 actinics as well...

 

[fishball]

i love my new T5's from cadlights,com

i would stay as far away from halides as possible. halides are geat but they just get too hot. T5's will be the new way to go (2) 3 foot strips 39w x 6 each will give you all u need for lighting for any reef. i got these new t5's from wwwcadlights.com and they are great, the best part is that the growth is just the same as my old halides but at a fration of the heat and cost! the colors are also amazing from the true actinics.

i was having problems with heat and bleaching of some of my elegance and softies from even with a (3) 250w aqualight from coralife. the heat was also a tremendous problem for me and everyone else that uses halides. worst of all is that i almost cracked my custom-made tank's glass brackets.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey fishball, is Cadlights the business you own? Sorry, just had to ask, 6 posts all hyping cadlights.

 

[jman77]

lol :rolleye1:

 

[yeame]

cost is a big thing 4 me I think the metal halides will be alot cheeper costs cost under $300 for 3-250w halides costs $700 for t-5