good lights for 6' 125 gallon mixed reef?

[a;lksdjf]

I'm interested in doing a big upgrade on my 45 gallon in a year or two and i'm trying to work out costs of different options. I'm not super interested in the ridiculously high lighting corals like acropora or anything like that, so i'm not looking for enough lighting to sunburn my whole tank lol. Probably going to be mainly softies and lps with a few easy sps up top like birdsnest and others like that. Any bank account friendly options for something like that?

 

[dwest]

I'm interested in doing a big upgrade on my 45 gallon in a year or two and i'm trying to work out costs of different options. I'm not super interested in the ridiculously high lighting corals like acropora or anything like that, so i'm not looking for enough lighting to sunburn my whole tank lol. Probably going to be mainly softies and lps with a few easy sps up top like birdsnest and others like that. Any bank account friendly options for something like that?

I had a 6 ft 125 and to be honest, I would either get a 4 ft 120 or a wider 6 ft tank like a 150 or 180. I liked my 125 but was hard to aquascape because of its narrow width. Having said all that, you can have great results with black boxes.There are many different brands of them That you can research. I have something different. I have an aquatic life hybrid. You could start with the 4 t5’s then add led’s if you want later.

 

[Uncle99]

Strangely, high cost does not match higher light.
I use Visparspectra 165w, which can easily throw 750-800 par 12” under the source.
I tune mine down as it’s too bright, but for 140 bucks, delivered by Amazon, been lighting my corals for three years now

 

[a;lksdjf]

Strangely, high cost does not match higher light.
I use Visparspectra 165w, which can easily throw 750-800 par 12” under the source.
I tune mine down as it’s too bright, but for 140 bucks, delivered by Amazon, been lighting my corals for three years now

I was actually checking these out earlier lol. How many would you recommend for best coverage on this size tank? Do they come with a way to hang them from anything other than the ceiling?

 

[Uncle99]

1 for each 2 feet square. This tank is 48”.
Hanging kit (from the ceiling) included!
If you go that way, 12-14” above the water for good blending of colors.
Also, start real low, say blue 10%, white 1%, and move upwards a couple of % each week.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I was actually checking these out earlier lol. How many would you recommend for best coverage on this size tank? Do they come with a way to hang them from anything other than the ceiling?

The black boxes only have hanging wires available. Any other mounting options would have to be DIY. You could also look at the Noopsyche K7 Pros. They are about $150 and 3 would work well on your tank. You can get mounting arms for them or hang them. I have not used them yet (I am looking at getting some for a possible 200g build) but they get pretty good reviews. They also have more programming options available that the black box LED's.

 

[Uncle99]

That’s a good point!
I created the bar (long threaded bar from hardware store, some nuts, some washers, some picture hanging wire and painted black) which all lights hang from.

I replaced the Centre light with two Aqueon Halos as I have a brace in the middle.

maybe that spawns some ideas

 

[Dipan Desai]

I had 3 MarsAqua leds on my 100g set up great for soft corals and sps. On my new 187g setup I have a 50" Reefbreeders light.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I love the size of my 60" 112g reef. I even prefer it over my old 4' 120g. For lighting I have an old reefbreeders 48" led and my new reefbreeders v2+ which is made for 60" tanks is on the way. It was $715

 

[Uncle99]

Beautiful tank!
I have heard great things about these lights.

 

[Doglips56]

I have Noopsyche lights over my 6’ 125. Amazing growth and not too expensive.

 

[nereefpat]

I have Noopsyche lights over my 6’ 125. Amazing growth and not too expensive.

How many? 3, or 6 turned sideways?

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

3 Kessil 360s over a 125. I got them used so they weren't too expensive

 

[lpsouth1978]

3 Kessil 360s over a 125. I got them used so they weren't too expensive

Beautiful tank, but that much shimmer would drive me CRAZY!

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Beautiful tank, but that much shimmer would drive me CRAZY!

The shimmer is caused by the light rays hitting the turbulence breaking the surface of the water. So, it is easy to control by how you have your power heads positioned.

 

[mfinn]

I'm interested in doing a big upgrade on my 45 gallon in a year or two and i'm trying to work out costs of different options. I'm not super interested in the ridiculously high lighting corals like acropora or anything like that, so i'm not looking for enough lighting to sunburn my whole tank lol. Probably going to be mainly softies and lps with a few easy sps up top like birdsnest and others like that. Any bank account friendly options for something like that?

Checkout ATI T5's.
I went back to them over my 6' softy tank and am very happy.
I did miss the led pop I had when I ran just leds so I add a couple Reef Brite strips.

 

[nereefpat]

Checkout ATI T5's.
I went back to them over my 6' softy tank and am very happy.
I did miss the led pop I had when I ran just leds so I add a couple Reef Brite strips.

Looks like they're on sale at bulk reef supply now too. The 5' 6 bulb would be just right for a 125.

 

[Doglips56]

How many? 3, or 6 turned sideways?

I have a total of 4 but only three are installed above my DT because I have 1 over my coral QT. I will be installing that 4th one over the QT soon though because 3 don’t give me enough coverage, I have shady spots from the top bracing on the tank. They do work well though, the corals love them.