SC Aquarium 120- Lights Question for BTA

[LotsaTanks]

Hi All, I just got an SC Aquarium 120 at MAX. It's 48" long by 24" deep/wide. I'm thinking of making it into a species BTA/pair of clowns tank.

The question: Do you think a pair of kessil a160's is enough light for the BTA's? The aquascape will be 2 rock islands, one on each side. There seems to be lots of different opinions, so am looking for feedback from successful owners of BTA's. Thanks!

 

[davocean]

BTA's are pretty forgiving and kesil's are good lights, so in that aspect I don't see issues, but I'm not sure if it will look spotlighty w/ just those or not.
I'd personally add a T5 fixture as well for one, and personally I think a cube seems more fitting for such a tank than a 120g does, but that is just my opinion.
I'd be more inclined to do either chock full of nem or what I did w/ my 120g, an island for a nem and an island for corals in that footprint

 

[LotsaTanks]

Thanks for the feedback on the kessils with BTA's. I just got one kessil a350w for a frag tank and I like it so far. I'll keep in mind using a t-5 if it looks too spotlighty. Still in the planning stages before set up but I imagine I'll get it running soon using some established rock/water/sand.

Have 2 60 gallon matching cubes (that are built for the sides of my 300) that I WAS going to use for BTA/clown displays. However, I won the 120 at MAX and am trying to figure out using that productively, which I suppose is a good problem to have!

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I won the 120 at MAX and am trying to figure out using that productively, which I suppose is a good problem to have!

Congrats. Cash is king so selling it would also be productive.
I had two Kessil A150Ws over a standard 60 gallon tank a while ago with a BTA in it. The BTA moved up high on a rock to get light. And that was a 17 inch tall tank. With your footprint you should go with Kessil A360. The smaller Kessils might work but it's a gamble.

 

[davocean]

Personally I think a 60g cube is just ideal for a nem tank, not that the 120g won't work just think it might be better suited for other than just a nem species tank, but some people do go all out w/ just tons of nem in a tank around that size.
yeah, that's a good problem to have for sure and lucky you!
Love my SCA 120g

 

[LotsaTanks]

Good to hear from someone that already tried the lower watt kessil on a BTA. I have a kessil a350 so I can try that. If it works, I can get another.

Sort of tossed around whether to sell or keep and set up. Thought about selling but I'm not sure I can get a price that would make it worth selling. I guess another tank never hurts.

 

[davocean]

Well it's easy for me to say what I would do w/ it because that's what I have already, and I'm absolutely loving my one island dedicated for my Mag and the other island for sps and softies down below both.
New or not I know everyone at our local club/area is going to want to buy it for half of what it lists for, so I would keep it, but you may want to PM Brian/Goody on our local forum, I know he was looking around and ready to purchase new, he might make a decent offer