lighting a 125g mixed reef

jadeguppy · 08/08/2008, 12:09 PM

It came with 2 250w se mh with the wide reflectors. I do have another 250w, but I am fearful that it will be too much light. The tank I will be moving into this one is a mixed reef, everything from elegance to acros. I want to have some area for the high light stuff, but also space for my lps and lower lights. I think I would also like to have an actinic sun-up/ down period. What lighting do you suggest?

mg426 · 08/08/2008, 12:50 PM

If its a 6 ft tank, I would run three bulbs. place the SPS higher in the tank, the Lps toward the bottom. Look at the lighting thread for info on bulbs.

Rick2203 · 08/08/2008, 02:00 PM

i have a 6ft 125g and i run 3 250w bulbs, the extra heat kinda sucks but ill have to work around that.

jadeguppy · 08/08/2008, 03:43 PM

This tank has a big glass brace in the center, about 10" across. Will it do any good to put a light above that?

jadeguppy · 08/08/2008, 04:39 PM

More questions: How much light will I loose if I switch to a smaller reflector? The reflectors are so big that I think only 1 T5 actinic will fit. Is there a way to install the T5 within the mh reflectors?

08/08/2008, 12:09 PM	#1
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	lighting a 125g mixed reef It came with 2 250w se mh with the wide reflectors. I do have another 250w, but I am fearful that it will be too much light. The tank I will be moving into this one is a mixed reef, everything from elegance to acros. I want to have some area for the high light stuff, but also space for my lps and lower lights. I think I would also like to have an actinic sun-up/ down period. What lighting do you suggest?

08/08/2008, 12:50 PM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	If its a 6 ft tank, I would run three bulbs. place the SPS higher in the tank, the Lps toward the bottom. Look at the lighting thread for info on bulbs. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

08/08/2008, 02:00 PM	#3
Rick2203 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North East PA Posts: 472	i have a 6ft 125g and i run 3 250w bulbs, the extra heat kinda sucks but ill have to work around that.

08/08/2008, 03:43 PM	#4
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	This tank has a big glass brace in the center, about 10" across. Will it do any good to put a light above that?

08/08/2008, 04:39 PM	#5
jadeguppy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nw Florida Posts: 2,611	More questions: How much light will I loose if I switch to a smaller reflector? The reflectors are so big that I think only 1 T5 actinic will fit. Is there a way to install the T5 within the mh reflectors?