confused about lighting for 125 gallon

seafansar · 03/06/2008, 08:36 PM

Hi. I have a 125 gallon that's 6ft long and about 18 inches tall. I'm planning on keeping some soft coral, anemones, and possibly LSP. The tank is covered by a hood that's only 6 inches above the water, so MH's are out of the question.

I was looking at retrofit PC's and florescent lights. I was told that for what I plan on keeping, I should have at least 5W/gal. But my question is, aren't PC and florescents made to produce more light with less wattage? And if so, what should I look for?

I'm hoping not to spend too much, maybe keep it around $300, but I don't know if that's possible. I don't know if I should go with 2-36" kits or 1-48" or what. My LFS has 2-36" Aqualight PC retrofit kits that have 2-96W each at $189 each. Would this work? They also can order a 6' VHO retrofit kit that's 4-195W for $420.99. I think it's for T-5 and doesn't come with the bulbs. Would this be better or worse?

I'm starting to wish I never bought this tank. Oh well. It will be cool once everything is done.

Thanks for reading!

tkeracer619 · 03/06/2008, 08:49 PM

I would get these and stagger them a bit. More than $300 but well worth it in the end to have nice lights.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...bs_by_ReefGeek

seafansar · 03/06/2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tkeracer619
I would get these and stagger them a bit. More than $300 but well worth it in the end to have nice lights.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...bs_by_ReefGeek

So these would produce enough light for what I want? I still don't quite understand how to calculate how much light is being produced and how much I need. Thanks for the suggestion!

Mouse · 03/06/2008, 09:18 PM

I have the same tank, I went with five 2 X 39W {36"} retro's from Hello Lights when they had a sale awhile ago.
Hope to get them mounted soon =(

seafansar · 03/06/2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mouse
I have the same tank, I went with five 2 X 39W {36"} retro's from Hello Lights when they had a sale awhile ago.
Hope to get them mounted soon =(

Just curious, how much was the sale price?

Mouse · 03/07/2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seafansar
Just curious, how much was the sale price?

I forget off hand, but around $100 per 2X36" set with bulbs.

03/06/2008, 08:36 PM	#1
seafansar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 1,023	confused about lighting for 125 gallon Hi. I have a 125 gallon that's 6ft long and about 18 inches tall. I'm planning on keeping some soft coral, anemones, and possibly LSP. The tank is covered by a hood that's only 6 inches above the water, so MH's are out of the question. I was looking at retrofit PC's and florescent lights. I was told that for what I plan on keeping, I should have at least 5W/gal. But my question is, aren't PC and florescents made to produce more light with less wattage? And if so, what should I look for? I'm hoping not to spend too much, maybe keep it around $300, but I don't know if that's possible. I don't know if I should go with 2-36" kits or 1-48" or what. My LFS has 2-36" Aqualight PC retrofit kits that have 2-96W each at $189 each. Would this work? They also can order a 6' VHO retrofit kit that's 4-195W for $420.99. I think it's for T-5 and doesn't come with the bulbs. Would this be better or worse? I'm starting to wish I never bought this tank. Oh well. It will be cool once everything is done. Thanks for reading!

03/06/2008, 08:49 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would get these and stagger them a bit. More than $300 but well worth it in the end to have nice lights. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...bs_by_ReefGeek __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/06/2008, 09:18 PM	#4
Mouse UnRegistered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rio Linda CA Posts: 739	I have the same tank, I went with five 2 X 39W {36"} retro's from Hello Lights when they had a sale awhile ago. Hope to get them mounted soon =( __________________ Somedays it just isnt worth gnawing through the straps...... Current Tank Info: 125g > < this close to being set up