Hoping to get advice for lighting on a 125.

Tony44 · 03/23/2007, 06:20 PM

Just bought a 125 gallon tank with hopes of making it into a reef tank one day. Tank came with 72" Coralife light fixture. Holds 4X96 watt lights, I believe they are flourescents. I have gotten so many mixed reviews on this, and I heard this was pretty much the best site on the internet regarding fish, so I figured I would ask here.

Would I be able to keep my current fixture and make it put out 400+ watts, or however much would be enough for a reef? If not, what would i need to get?

Thanks

Entropy · 03/23/2007, 07:56 PM

To Reef Central

I think what you have will be fine to start, at least until you figure out your exact plans. The level of lighting you have now with grow many soft corals, mushrooms, and some LPS. Maybe even some SPS. I have seen nice tanks your size with similar (or less) lighting do quite well. The challange will be if you decide to start keeping higher light critters.

Tony44 · 03/23/2007, 09:09 PM

Thanks alot.

One thing though, hope this is not asking for to much. I need to find two new 36" bulbs, since it holds four, but only two are there. Do you know of any good online sites, or ebay stores that would sell the best bulbs for my situation?

Thanks.

dougchambers · 03/23/2007, 09:12 PM

Tony -

I don't know that you can ask to much on this site... There is a tremendous amount of knowledge on here.

As for the bulbs you need, try looking at some of the sponsors of this site. I've had outstanding experience with www.premiumaquatics.com and www.reefgeek.com for our lighting needs. There are many others so check the sponsors and ask more questions.

-Doug

Tony44 · 03/23/2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dougchambers
Tony -

I don't know that you can ask to much on this site... There is a tremendous amount of knowledge on here.

Glad to hear that, that is the reason why I came here.

Thanks, gotta check out those sites.

Tony44 · 03/23/2007, 09:30 PM

Do you guys think this would be good for mine?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Clearance http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Clearance

Tony44 · 03/23/2007, 10:11 PM

I just took my light ballast, or fixture, I am not sure what it is called, off from the tank. Right now I have 2, 96 Watt 10,000k bulbs, and 2, 96 Actinic 10,000k.

Only one of the actinics work. Do you guys think I should get 2 actinics, and 2 regular ones, or get 4 regular ones on there?

I dont know alot about this, that is why I am asking. But the actinics that I have, I do not think they are blue actinics, they look very purple when I turn it on, I have no clue whether or not there is such a thing as purple actinics, I havent heard of it if there is. Ofcourse they could be blue actinics, but give a purple light instead.

Tony44 · 03/23/2007, 11:43 PM

Anyone?

03/23/2007, 06:20 PM	#1
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Hoping to get advice for lighting on a 125. Just bought a 125 gallon tank with hopes of making it into a reef tank one day. Tank came with 72" Coralife light fixture. Holds 4X96 watt lights, I believe they are flourescents. I have gotten so many mixed reviews on this, and I heard this was pretty much the best site on the internet regarding fish, so I figured I would ask here. Would I be able to keep my current fixture and make it put out 400+ watts, or however much would be enough for a reef? If not, what would i need to get? Thanks

03/23/2007, 07:56 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	*To Reef Central* I think what you have will be fine to start, at least until you figure out your exact plans. The level of lighting you have now with grow many soft corals, mushrooms, and some LPS. Maybe even some SPS. I have seen nice tanks your size with similar (or less) lighting do quite well. The challange will be if you decide to start keeping higher light critters. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/23/2007, 09:09 PM	#3
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Thanks alot. One thing though, hope this is not asking for to much. I need to find two new 36" bulbs, since it holds four, but only two are there. Do you know of any good online sites, or ebay stores that would sell the best bulbs for my situation? Thanks.

03/23/2007, 09:12 PM	#4
dougchambers Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,882	Tony - I don't know that you can ask to much on this site... There is a tremendous amount of knowledge on here. As for the bulbs you need, try looking at some of the sponsors of this site. I've had outstanding experience with www.premiumaquatics.com and www.reefgeek.com for our lighting needs. There are many others so check the sponsors and ask more questions. -Doug

03/23/2007, 09:30 PM	#6
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Do you guys think this would be good for mine? http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Clearance http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Clearance

03/23/2007, 10:11 PM	#7
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	I just took my light ballast, or fixture, I am not sure what it is called, off from the tank. Right now I have 2, 96 Watt 10,000k bulbs, and 2, 96 Actinic 10,000k. Only one of the actinics work. Do you guys think I should get 2 actinics, and 2 regular ones, or get 4 regular ones on there? I dont know alot about this, that is why I am asking. But the actinics that I have, I do not think they are blue actinics, they look very purple when I turn it on, I have no clue whether or not there is such a thing as purple actinics, I havent heard of it if there is. Ofcourse they could be blue actinics, but give a purple light instead.

03/23/2007, 11:43 PM	#8
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Anyone?