Lighting recommendations on a 125 gallon?

[six.line]

Hey there,

I hope to get a 125 gallon on Thursday. It would be a significant upgrade from my 15 gallon, and so I'm bit curious to see what y'all think on lighting.

I don't want to be limited in what I can put in there. I want to be able to throw in any SPS or LPS, as well as light-hungry guys such as clams and anemones.

Suggestions?

 

[Randall_James]

3X250W DE MH
Supplemented by 2X54W T5 pure actinics
and of course your moon lights

 

[Andrew]

Like stated above, if you want to keep SPS then you're going to need mh. Three 250 watt units would be good and then pick a K to your liking.

 

[shoddyk]

I also agree with the 3 x 250watt MH lights. I still have 8 x 96watt Power compacts in my 125 tank and can't wait to get MH lights. Even though they are only PC's they are still making my clams and anemones happy and they are on the bottom.

 

[Randall_James]

8X96 PC's? Now I bet that is something to see. How are your temps?

 

[six.line]

Why double ended? Is there an advantage there I'm not aware of?

 

[shoddyk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7334001#post7334001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randall_James
8X96 PC's? Now I bet that is something to see. How are your temps?

I have a 1/3 hp chiller that keeps the temp at 77 degrees. You can't hold your hand on top of the canopy for to long or it will start to burn a little. It is probaly a little bit hotter than it shoud be for a 6" canopy.

 

[ONEMANBAND]

I run 3 175mh 10k's on my 125 and would do the same if I could do it again. I also have 4 3 foot vho actinics.

 

[Randall_James]

Supposed to get a little better light distribution and also a wider range of bulbs. Downside is that you MUST have a glass over them to block UV. The glass over the outside of a mogul base blocks the UV

 

[six.line]

Yeah, I remember reading that, I was just curious to know if there's anything else.

thanks.