Lighting advice

[sergifed91]

I'm looking at a aeon reef ready tank. 125 gallon length is 72 inches. Width I think is 18 inches and the height not sure but I think 24 inches. I have 2 ai primes 24 and 2 16 inch sbreeflights. Looking for lighting recommendations. Either using a 3 ai prime or getting another black box and running 3 black boxes. Please advise.

 

[sergifed91]

I'm hoping for alot of responses. I'm not limited to just those options but looking for input.

 

[nereefpat]

Bump for ya.

Are you wanting to keep corals? SPS?

 

[sergifed91]

Bump

 

[jda]

If you really want solid help, you are going to need to have an idea of what you want to keep in the tank. Dimensions will help too - help people help you... standard 125g is 72x18.5x24, but nobody knows if yours is standard.

In general, prime are not high powered lights and more suited to light small tanks and spaces. Black boxes can be very high powered and deliver light over larger areas, but there is a wide range of models and options.

Budget would help too.

 

[sergifed91]

It's a standard 125 gallon. Keeping softies and lips. Not worried about the budget. I'm leaning towards black.boxes lights since I have 2 16 inch sbreef lights.

 

[nereefpat]

It's a standard 125 gallon. Keeping softies and lips. Not worried about the budget. I'm leaning towards black.boxes lights since I have 2 16 inch sbreef lights.

In that case, I think starting with 3 SB boxes is a good plan. You can always add more of them in the future if you are getting shadowing issues with SPS.

You can even run the AI Primes between them.

If budget is no issue, then there are probably *better* options, but in your shoes I would probably just order another SB light and start with that...if I only wanted lps and softies.

 

[sergifed91]

In that case, I think starting with 3 SB boxes is a good plan. You can always add more of them in the future if you are getting shadowing issues with SPS.

You can even run the AI Primes between them.

If budget is no issue, then there are probably *better* options, but in your shoes I would probably just order another SB light and start with that...if I only wanted lps and softies.

So I could run the 2 sbreef light at the 2 ends and then the 2 ai primes un the middle.

 

[nereefpat]

So I could run the 2 sbreef light at the 2 ends and then the 2 ai primes un the middle.

Sure that's another option. The lighting in the tank won't "match," per se. That may or may not drive you nuts.

Edit: In post #7 above, by running the two Primes between them, I meant in addition to the 3 black boxes.

 

[vetteguy53081]

3 primes ideal and you can supplement with a 69” reef brite

 

[40g Nano]

Or like this

 

[sergifed91]

Or like this

i don't think id be able to find another sb reef light that is 16 inches but if not I can get another brand. viaspectra or mars aqua.

 

[Berlibee]

I like hybrids with LED. But ATI Sunpower is always a win. Check my build in the sig. I'm using the Giesemann Stellar with Coral Care G2 for 70" size.