Lighting Recommendations

[Swirlygig]

Hey all,

I am looking into getting some new lighting for my 125g reef tank. What are some of your recommendations. I Would prefer to keep it as cheap as possible. I don't have a lot of money at the moment and need to replace my VHO bulbs, so I wanted to research some alternate lighting while I was at it...Right now I am running 440W of VHO. Should I just add a MH bulb or go MH / T5 or what? I didn't now if anyone had any ideas on what to get in order to get the good lighting for the best price?

Lets hear it! ^_^

 

[thor32766]

There will be quite a difference of opinions on this. I swear by T5's. For example I have 8x54 T5's on my 220 gallon tank. I have clams with great growth, along with zoas, anemones, shrooms, leathers. People are usually amazed on how little wattage is on my tank. This just my experience. Love T5's and thats what I am putting on my 450 also.

 

[cowboyswife]

I LOVE T5s! I have the 36 inch Current Nova Extreme over my 40L, and they are great. My husband has the 48 inch over his 55L too. I successfully kept a crocea clam, anemones, a ton of softies, and LPS. I didnt have a whole lot of luck with SPS, but Im not much for it anyway. The growth I had was insane. My purple frogspawn went from 3 to 7 heads in 4 months, and my green frogspawn went from 2 to 6 heads in 4 months too. They are energy efficient, and they dont put out a lot of heat.

 

[lusenut2]

This is post that will get you a lot of different answers. You have to go with what you think you will like more. Some people swear but MH, orther say T5s I have even heard power compacts. So its what you can afford and what you think is going to be better for you.

 

[cschweitzer]

I love VHO...just had to give a differing opinion. You really love what looks "right" on your tank.

Personally, I had to go LED. Yeah, you're paying for it up front, but it'll save you tons in the long run. You'd be looking at 3X175W at least for MH's. That'll run you about $200-300 each, then another $150-200 8 months later and so on for bulbs. You may get your tank too warm, in which case you'll need a chiller. After that, your AC won't feel as cold as before(all the excess heat and humidity from the lighting). The internal temp of my Solaris is 107 F at 100% lighting on a six foot unit; no heat dissipation to the tank which equals less evaporation and less humidity in my house, less power drawn(450W total used for my Solaris at 100%), no lighting controller or good timers(all internal), dimming effect and moonlight included, moonlight cycle(28 day cycle), yearly cycle(365 day timer), internal temp controlled fans, and a nice warrantee with virtually no setup time.

Of course, you need to be willing to shell out the cost of an automobile to initially buy it. But just keep telling yourself that it is an investment that will pay for itsself in under 3 years. I know I plan on having my tank for a long time, longer than 3 years, at least.

 

[cschweitzer]

Oh, I almost forgot, not only dimmable, but adjustable kelvin rating to get it just right for your eyes and your corals. You could turn your tank almost yellow-orange by turning off the blues completely if you so desired.

I personally think that 100% on both whites and blues is the perfect, 20000K look for me.

 

[keithbou30]

T 5 i like and have on my 55 gal but i here those solor are the **** but also $$$$$$$$$

 

[jay24k]

The LED's are expensive but very nice. Once the price comes down, it will be worth it but right now, I just don't think it is just yet. But if you can drop the cash on it, definetly a nice light.

Personally, I'd just go 3x250 watt MH. Why chimp on it now and have to spend more just to upgrade later.

 

[rogergolf66]

I have the same tank you have. I now have 1 400W MH in the middle and 2 250W MH on each side. I have bought T5's to use as sup lighting, but haven't hung them yet anyways. I wish I could get all my money back and do solartubes. check them out if you have your own house and your tank is on the top floor or you live in a single story house.

just google them. These price is far and never change a bulb again. There are a lot of people out there growing clams and SPS using this lighting. I wish I knew about it before I put up over $1,000 for what I have now.

Roger