lighting for a 125

[dwsindy]

Just ordered a new 125 tank and I am looking for lighting suggestions. I plan on keeping mostly lps and softies but maybe some sps in time. I prefer to keep an open top. this tank is 6' long and I was thinking of a combination of 3 -250w MH and actinics. Suggestions?

 

[trottman]

3 x 250!!!!!1 is a lot of friggen light for a 125 lps and softy!!! 3 x 175 MH would be enough, with vho or t5 actinic supplement

 

[dwsindy]

That's why I am asking for suggestions!! Any particular brand or model your preference?

 

[Blown 346]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6360356#post6360356 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trottman
3 x 250!!!!!1 is a lot of friggen light for a 125 lps and softy!!! 3 x 175 MH would be enough, with vho or t5 actinic supplement

I disagree, 3x250 would be fine for a softie/ LPS tank. I have 2x250 watt halides over my 90 which is a softie/LPS tank and is is perfect.
I would go with the 3x250 plus actinic supplementation for when you do get SPS. it will only help out in the long run. I think the setup you want will be perfect.
The 3 x175 would not be suffient lighting for that tank.
I went with Ice cap equipment and love it..

 

[twkenny]

I have 3 x 250 Halide and 2 x 160 VHO over my 125 and LOVE it!!!!
Go fo it!!!!! Why buy 175 when for just a bit more you can have 250?

 

[old salty]

I use two 36" TEK T5 fixtures. Works really well and my electric meter doesn't spin like a frisbee.

 

[dwsindy]

Any thoughts on these

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=AM-75096&Category_Code=Oceanlight-T5

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...roduct_Code=SL-MS-6250&Category_Code=Maristar

 

[Blown 346]

Those are great systems, I have heard nothing bad about them, and they are quite stylish.

 

[Saltcity]

I've got a 125g AGA and I have 3-250W MH's over it along with 130W of PC's right now..........I am planning on adding 2-140W VHO actinics to replace to PC's soon.

I'm glad I went with the 250W's instead of the 175W's.....

 

[jimbo045]

I have the same tank with 2) 175Watt MH and 2) 140Watt VHOs, I tried 3 of the MH and did not notice the diff, so I removed the 3rd. I feel the VHOs even all the lighting. JD

 

[David Grigor]

For the current goals, just about anything from all VHOs to 250W MH will do.

However, if you really think SPS ( in particular Acropora ) are in your future, 175W MH isn't a good long term solution and you would probably upgrade at some point again anyway. You would be better served with the 250W MH.

If this were my tank, I personally would go with all VHOs on Icecap ballasts. You can always add MH when the time comes for sps/acropora at some point without really wasting any money as you can always use the VHOs for actinic supplmentation and dawn/dusk. Also, worst case scenerio you scrap entirely and go with a different setup, Icecap flourescent ballast have very good resale so your not going to be out a whole lot either way.

Choice is yours really, if you have a local reef club I highly encourage getting involved. Being able to see many tanks and everyone does things slightly different gives experiences that really trumps any bulletin board especially when it comes to lighting.