Minimum Lighting for a 125g

ChrisKil · 04/19/2008, 06:50 PM

I have a 125 gallon tank that is basically FO. I have some zoos, kenya trees, and mushroom corals, but other than that fish only. The only lighting I currently use is the SO strip lights that came with the tank. I would like to start getting some corals and anemones, but know my lights aren't currently good enough.

What is the minimum I can get away with for say some Acropora? I know the minimum lighting isn't ideal, but I don't really have the money for anymore lights in general, so I'm looking to spend as little as possible.

reefer96 · 04/19/2008, 08:06 PM

6 rows of T5 HO lights or halides probally $600 and up for a fixture, unless your a DIY person you can probally save a few $$

JBuffetReefer · 04/19/2008, 11:19 PM

If your tank is a 48" long tank, you can get a 48" sunpod with 2-150w MH. They run about $500-600. Thats what I use on my 120g tank and it seems to work.

ChrisKil · 04/20/2008, 05:30 PM

Thanks guys. That's about what I thought. I was optimistically hoping someone would say ' here's a cool way to do it for $200-300, ' but I'll just suck it up and pay for the proper lighting.

luke33 · 04/20/2008, 06:48 PM

There's no cheap way to get around when it comes to lights. My advice would be get a 6x60" tek retro. Here's your cheapest and best bet. Retrofit it into your canopy. Will run you around 400+ 120ish for the bulb's.

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...bdd0482b79bcf0

Or you could look for a 3x250w mh retro that is used. Just get what will allow you to keep anything. It will save you a lot in the end as you won't ever have to upgrade.

JNye · 04/20/2008, 07:42 PM

i use only 2 MH over a 6' tank, but i have to remember this when i pt acros in the tank. Then i have 2x 5' vhos to cover the whole tank. don't forget about flow. acros need it as much as light.

ScottL4619 · 04/21/2008, 12:54 PM

You can find 3 metal halide pendants and ballasts in the used goods section for $600 or under. I just hung all three of mine on a rack (read: metal bar) and suspended the rack from the ceiling on each end. This way, you don't have to build a canopy or rig something to hold the actinics and if you get 14k or 20k bulbs, you won't need actinics anyway.

04/19/2008, 06:50 PM	#1
ChrisKil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruston, LA Posts: 152	Minimum Lighting for a 125g I have a 125 gallon tank that is basically FO. I have some zoos, kenya trees, and mushroom corals, but other than that fish only. The only lighting I currently use is the SO strip lights that came with the tank. I would like to start getting some corals and anemones, but know my lights aren't currently good enough. What is the minimum I can get away with for say some Acropora? I know the minimum lighting isn't ideal, but I don't really have the money for anymore lights in general, so I'm looking to spend as little as possible. __________________ Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Show a man a reef tank, bankrupt him for life. Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef w/ 30g sump

04/19/2008, 11:19 PM	#3
JBuffetReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 510	If your tank is a 48" long tank, you can get a 48" sunpod with 2-150w MH. They run about $500-600. Thats what I use on my 120g tank and it seems to work. __________________ Pour me something tall and strong, make it a hurricane before I go insane. It's only half past twelve but I don't care. It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Tank soon to be reef tank & 34 Gallon Reef Tank

04/20/2008, 05:30 PM	#4
ChrisKil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruston, LA Posts: 152	Thanks guys. That's about what I thought. I was optimistically hoping someone would say ' here's a cool way to do it for $200-300, ' but I'll just suck it up and pay for the proper lighting. __________________ Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Show a man a reef tank, bankrupt him for life. Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef w/ 30g sump

04/20/2008, 07:42 PM	#6
JNye Moved On Up Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lansing, IL Posts: 2,230	i use only 2 MH over a 6' tank, but i have to remember this when i pt acros in the tank. Then i have 2x 5' vhos to cover the whole tank. don't forget about flow. acros need it as much as light. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: it don't matter just don't bite it

04/21/2008, 12:54 PM	#7
ScottL4619 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 478	You can find 3 metal halide pendants and ballasts in the used goods section for $600 or under. I just hung all three of mine on a rack (read: metal bar) and suspended the rack from the ceiling on each end. This way, you don't have to build a canopy or rig something to hold the actinics and if you get 14k or 20k bulbs, you won't need actinics anyway. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Empty...

04/19/2008, 08:06 PM	#2
reefer96 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: lake st louis Posts: 834	6 rows of T5 HO lights or halides probally $600 and up for a fixture, unless your a DIY person you can probally save a few $$

04/20/2008, 06:48 PM	#5
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	There's no cheap way to get around when it comes to lights. My advice would be get a 6x60" tek retro. Here's your cheapest and best bet. Retrofit it into your canopy. Will run you around 400+ 120ish for the bulb's. https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...bdd0482b79bcf0 Or you could look for a 3x250w mh retro that is used. Just get what will allow you to keep anything. It will save you a lot in the end as you won't ever have to upgrade.