Help with selecting lights

[CableGuy86]

Ok all I know is I want led lights for a 125 gallon tank. now I would like led with the timer but not needed.

I just picked up a used 125 standard and it came with everything but lights. I am basically at a point where i just have no clue. I def want to be able to grow some coral but mainly a fowler.

Do I get one long light, 2, or 3 small?

What suggestions do you have in lights where I can spend around 300 but would like to stay closer to 200?

Any help greatly appreciated

 

[Kershaw]

What's you budget?
What lights have you had ?
I love kessil but I think AI and maxspect are just has good they all do things different but well. If you like MH go kessil if you like t5 go AI or maxspect. Just my Opnion

 

[ndz98]

I know a lot of people use Mars aqua because they're cheap and decent. For the budget you said it seems like they might fall within it.

 

[CableGuy86]

What's you budget?
What lights have you had ?
I love kessil but I think AI and maxspect are just has good they all do things different but well. If you like MH go kessil if you like t5 go AI or maxspect. Just my Opnion

I Like to stay under 300 and I want led.

I really haven't had much. My 40 breeder has some cheap petco lights and I have been scared to try coral but shrooms seem to love em. And my biocube is all stock bulbs. This is my 1st tank I'm physically building not buying all together.

What wattage etc should I be looking at?

 

[Kershaw]

Don't worrie about watts with led. Check out the sb lights they advertise on here. I'm not familiar with them but they are cheap and people seem to like them. Look for lights and see what people are growing. Coral is easier then you think. With leds, light acclimation is key.

 

[CableGuy86]

Don't worrie about watts with led. Check out the sb lights they advertise on here. I'm not familiar with them but they are cheap and people seem to like them. Look for lights and see what people are growing. Coral is easier then you think. With leds, light acclimation is key.

I will def start looking at other lights ppl use just kills me bc I really like those 900$ lights lol

I'll def check out those sb lights.

 

[CableGuy86]

I know a lot of people use Mars aqua because they're cheap and decent. For the budget you said it seems like they might fall within it.

Looking these up now and they are pretty close to what I need and have great reviews. Ima def compare these and the ones Kershaw recommended.

Now to get back to should I get 2 of the large 300w, 2 small 160 watt, or 3 of the 160..... So much to look at but I appreciate all the help. Feel like I'm going in the right direction.

 

[Brian Kim]

Looking these up now and they are pretty close to what I need and have great reviews. Ima def compare these and the ones Kershaw recommended.

Now to get back to should I get 2 of the large 300w, 2 small 160 watt, or 3 of the 160..... So much to look at but I appreciate all the help. Feel like I'm going in the right direction.

How wide is your tank? I'm assuming it's 72" wide, it would be best if you went with at least 3
Was your budget $400 total? If that's the case, check out Ocean Revive Artic T247 ($199) You could get 2 of those for now and a 3rd or even 4th later on

 

[CableGuy86]

I think it's 72 as well or 60 I'll check in the morning.

I like those as well but was trying to stay under 300 but seems like my budget is going up and up lol. Also my requirements are going up. I need led and I need programmable.

 

[Kershaw]

ok so watts dose mater sort of. my kessils are 93 or 96 watts each. Most people never run them at that. I'm not sure what the watts are of some of the others. But if you read what people are saying they run there lights at most people don't even run there leds at 75% lfs near me has AI hydra 52 over ther tanks and only have them at 60% it will be hard to keep a buget that low. I would also look in the used section here. Maybe buy 1 light now and more later.

 

[Brian Kim]

I think it's 72 as well or 60 I'll check in the morning.

I like those as well but was trying to stay under 300 but seems like my budget is going up and up lol. Also my requirements are going up. I need led and I need programmable.

LOL this is an expensive hobby indeed...Well there are second hand lights if you are on a tight budget. By the way, those Ocean Revives are programmable and have 2 separate channels

 

[Brian Kim]

Here's what a single unit can do to a 27" X 21 X 19"tank

 

[NanaReefer]

Here's another option that's definitely within your budget. Plus IMO you'll only need one as they have 120° optics.

Fantastic light!

http://reefradiance.com/starfire.html

 

[rjl45]

Many people use the "black box" led off ebay (all are basically Chinese made, sold under different brands) and typically in the $100-$150 range. I have seen some good photos from some of those thanks. Just remember, you get what you pay for. The Chinese lights go bad over time, channels will die, individual leds burn out, inconsistent spectrum...generally speaking the lifespan on the black boxes aren't great, but being half the price as others maybe not a bad idea...

The mainstream brands, tend to use higher quality components and much higher quality leds. Spectrum will be consistent from light to light and lifespan will be much longer.

With any good led light, you have to have some sort of dimming/control of the light. No one runs them at 100% (unless it's the cheap 1w variety). 3 watt Led (3w per single led) are typically too intense to run 100%. Almost all have some sort of control; manual dimming or more expensive models have WiFi control through your mobile device.

Some think WiFi is a luxury, but after switching to a Bluefish controller, there's no going back! I love the thing. My lights run a natural day cycle tied to Fiji (but on my day), also randomly has clouds pass over based on the weather in Fiji. Could have lightning storms, but it scares my fish, so I leave that option off. It also runs a true moon cycle, brighter during full moon, off during new moon.

Things to consider. Good luck!