Lighting for a 125 SPS tank.

[MRCORAL]

What do you guys recommend on a 125?

 

[shadofax69]

I would recommend 3 x 250 MH either single ended or double ended it doesn't really matter. I would get a good 10,000K bulb for the halides. If you do not like the color given off by the 10,000K you could go more blue with a 20,000K but you would sacrafice PAR so I would go with 4x VHO Actinics to give a more blue color. This is just my opinion.

 

[xtrstangx]

3x250w MH with probably 10-14K bulbs. If you want more blue, add actinics. Don't sacrifice growth for color.

 

[kbmdale]

What are the deminsions of the tank?

 

[MRCORAL]

72x18x22

 

[Micki]

I have a 125 same as you. 72x18x22. I use 3 250 XM MH plus 4 65 PC actinic. I started out using 10K But I didn't really like the yellow color. I then tried 20 K and it was way to dark for me. I now have 15K and really like it.

 

[MRCORAL]

What do you have a AGA or Oceanic?

 

[Micki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6534270#post6534270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MRCORAL
What do you have a AGA or Oceanic?

AGA

 

[MRCORAL]

How is the AGA?

 

[llamart]

I would get that Sunlight Supply T5 Actinic 250w MH combo...Pretty sweet light.

 

[llamart]

Also double ended MH have more reflective light than the single ended bulbs...So whatever system you get, drop the extra couple bucks on the double ended setup.

 

[Micki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6534304#post6534304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MRCORAL
How is the AGA?

I love it! There are several pictures of the tank and set up on this link. I have changed the aquascaping some since these pictures were taken. It will be 1 year old on February 27. I'll add more tank shots then. I think I have some pictures of different lighting somewhere too.

 

[MRCORAL]

Micki, Can you send me your email address? I have a few questions.

 

[Micki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6534399#post6534399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MRCORAL
Micki, Can you send me your email address? I have a few questions.

You have PM

 

[MRCORAL]

Sunlight Supply T5 Actinic 250w MH combo I have one already on my 58.

I have 2x250 14k and 2 39W T5. Seems really strong for my tank had a few corals die off. Seems to be ok but I only have the HQI lights on for 4 1/2 hours right now working up.

 

[wrassie86]

Heres what i use and like it.3x400w 20k halide 4hrs
2x110watt vho attinic 2x overdriven 6500k phillips bulbs replaced every 3 mos.and ran for 12 hrs.

 

[MRCORAL]

Just sent you a email.

 

[MRCORAL]

400 seems really to much

 

[wrassie86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6534517#post6534517 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MRCORAL
400 seems really to much

It's only about 1.520 watts of light.It all depends on what you want keep.i keep sps so ya i could run 250's with a longer photo period.but 4hrs of 400wt and the rest vho works for me and keeps the heat down.So really the power comsumption would really be no different for me if i ran 250s.also i would have use 10k bulbs cause i doubt 20k 250s would cut it.

 

[old salty]

I'm using T5's for a 125g. No doubt that MHs are sweet as can be, but DANG they can suck some power down!! If I were to go MH, I would do 3-250w and maybe 2-160w VHO actinics. That is more than twice the amount of power consumption than I am using now (468w vs 1070w), so it will be a long time before I even reconsider leaving T5's.