Lighting for a 125 SPS tank.

[wrassie86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6534821#post6534821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

How many bulbs does it take for you to get that 468w?

 

[old salty]

12 bulbs. They are 39 watts each. Here is a quick pic at two months old:

 

[wrassie86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6535026#post6535026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by old salty
12 bulbs. They are 39 watts each. Here is a quick pic at two months old:

So after after a quick break down of the cost,you would have run those bulbs for over a year to get a any cost savings over 250w MH.Dont think i'm putting them down because i'm not i just dont know much about them. ive seen a few very nice sps tanks with t5 but i think alot more light than you have.You may be saving power, but it seems like you come out the same paying and shipping all those bulbs.

 

[Harville]

One of my good friends has the nicest tank I have ever seen in person. It is a 125 all SPS.

The light he uses is a 72" fixture with 4x250w Halides and 2X6' VHO actinic.

I think four 250's is a little excessive...but it works for him and looks great!

hope that helps

 

[MRCORAL]

What brands would you recommend. I have a sunstar very happy with it. Any other ideas?

 

[wrassie86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6535205#post6535205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MRCORAL
What brands would you recommend. I have a sunstar very happy with it. Any other ideas?

You never said what you wanted to keep in the tank.Heck i used to keep a fully mixed 125g under 175w 10k xm bulbs with 220w attinic with sps at the top and the colors were great.never a heat problem.
It all comes down to what you want keep in the future.no use in wasting power if you dont need it.even 125s can get pretty costly once you start adding the pumps then comes the chiller.

Sorry i just took note of the title How fast i forget

 

[Micki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6535205#post6535205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MRCORAL
What brands would you recommend. I have a sunstar very happy with it. Any other ideas?

I've always gotten my lights through Hello Lights. I use the XM bulbs and ARO ballast.