125 gallon reef build, lighting help!

[Colin B]

Hello everyone,

I have been putting together equipment and everything for my 125 gallon reef build. I want something that could be upgraded in the future. but I really do not want to spend a fortune on lighting, I am struggling to find anything reasonable for a 6ft long tank. I just want to keep zoas, acans, rock flowers, and some torches to start. Nothing super crazy in time I would like to get into SPS but if I could just get the lighting started now I could add more to it as funds are available.

I love LED But it seems like many of them are expensive and would require 4 or more fixtures to properly light the tank.

I have also looked into the t5ho hybrid options but I can only find them at a maximum of 5ft in length.

Any help or input would be appreciated.

TIA

Colin

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hello everyone,

I have been putting together equipment and everything for my 125 gallon reef build. I want something that could be upgraded in the future. but I really do not want to spend a fortune on lighting, I am struggling to find anything reasonable for a 6ft long tank. I just want to keep zoas, acans, rock flowers, and some torches to start. Nothing super crazy in time I would like to get into SPS but if I could just get the lighting started now I could add more to it as funds are available.

I love LED But it seems like many of them are expensive and would require 4 or more fixtures to properly light the tank.

I have also looked into the t5ho hybrid options but I can only find them at a maximum of 5ft in length.

Any help or input would be appreciated.

TIA

Colin

I've had extreme success with Chinese black boxes. Affordable and can cover your tank for around $300.

I use Mars Aquas. Started my tank in 2015 with T5's and switched to them.

I have three 165w boxes. I did take the lenses off of them to get better coverage. This is easily done by anyone.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Here's my build thread for ideas:

Build Thread - Flippers reef 125 gallon

The story of Flippers reef started long ago.......... In a time before a thing called "The Internet"existed. Land locked Missouri, mid western U.S.A. back in 1993. I had just got out of the army in 1992 and got busy starting a family. See, I had fresh water tanks off and on since I was very...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

They make 72" T5's... The gesiemann spectra and infinity come in 6' lengths. If you want to grow ANYTHING then they are great lights. If you live somewhere hot though they are not likely the best choice.