Lighting for 120g

[ghartman1234]

Hello! Currently planning the lighting options for my 120 gallon tank. It is a 4’x2’x2’ and will be a mixed reef.
I was thinking any of the following options:
1) 3 XR15 pros
2) 2 XR30s
3) 1 AP700
4) AI Hydras? Which model? How many?
5) AI Primes? How many?
6) Any other lighting suggestions?

Just wanted to know other people’s opinions and suggestions on what lights would be better. Also trying to save money but get really good quality. Thanks sm.

 

[Cwentz758]

Red Sea ReefLED 90s are a good non bank breaking option

 

[SliceGolfer]

Have you considered Reef Breeder Photon V2+?

 

[NS Mike D]

I'm pretty sure each of these manufactures has par maps and spectrum data to help you estimate how they will spread in you tank. Dana Riddle has a great forum just on lighting where they might be more helpful that the general forum

 

[ghartman1234]

Have you considered Reef Breeder Photon V2+?

Never heard of them actually. Where can I find more info on them?

 

[Gernader]

If you are on budget, you should consider black boxes such as Mars Aqua or ViparSpectra. You probably need 2 or 3 of them in total of $200 or $300. I am using Mars Aqua for my 29g reef and it is able to grow all corals, even sps!

This is what my tank looks like with Mars Aqua:

 

[Arthacker87]

Just depends on how much you wanna spend. Buddy of mine has reef breeders and they are amazing (imo) but cost a bit much. I on the other hand use a Mars aqua and it all works for me. You will get a lot of suggestions on lighting. Best thing to do is find someone on here coloration you like and ask what they are using and mimic. Imo

 

[Arthacker87]

Top down pic

All 300 watt mars aqua and a led blue strip

 

[SliceGolfer]

Never heard of them actually. Where can I find more info on them?

Home - ReefBreeders.com

Power Your Tank.

www.reefbreeders.com

I’m quite impressed with them. No wifi or bluetooth, but great coverage, spread, spectrum, and PAR.

 

[WvAquatics]

Home - ReefBreeders.com

Power Your Tank.

www.reefbreeders.com

I’m quite impressed with them. No wifi or bluetooth, but great coverage, spread, spectrum, and PAR.

These are the lights I'm looking at for my 120. Full coverage and love that you can set each individual channel to be just how you like the lights. For top line I think the reefbreeders are a great buy for the price. Of course

 

[ghartman1234]

If you are on budget, you should consider black boxes such as Mars Aqua or ViparSpectra. You probably need 2 or 3 of them in total of $200 or $300. I am using Mars Aqua for my 29g reef and it is able to grow all corals, even sps!

This is what my tank looks like with Mars Aqua:

could it grow acropora?

 

[ghartman1234]

Top down pic

All 300 watt mars aqua and a led blue strip

wow these pics are beautiful!

 

[Ferrell]

All of the above will grow corals and have produced amazing results. It all depends on what you want to grow. I personally like the Radions. SPS you can go with the 4 Radion XR15s. (BRS has a good video that just came out a few weeks ago on this fixture, including SPS and LPS settings that may help) I personally have a softy/LPS 75 and run 2 XR15s with diffusers in an Aquatic Life T5 fixture with 2B+ and 2actinic bulbs. Run the Radions on AB+ settings at 80%

 

[X-37B]

I used the black box on my nano. It grew all coral just fine.
On my 120 I went with a used T5 unit running 3b+ 3c+ then added 2 more bulbs for 8.
4" off the surface.
Less than $300 for the complete setup.
Buy a bulb a month at $20 and spread out replacement cost. They last well over a year.

 

[Gernader]

could it grow acropora?

Yes. I do not have it in my system, but I have seen many people grow them with black boxes

 

[ghartman1234]

Yes. I do not have it in my system, but I have seen many people grow them with black boxes

this sounds like a plan actually. maybe i’ll run them along side 2 t5’s?

 

[mrlavalamp]

How would those blackboxes do on a tank that is 30" deep?

I plan to keep fish, nems, zoas, palys, various LPS maybe a gorgonian (photosynthetic). not really going for SPS.

the 300w mars aqua looks nice to me and for once the price on lights doesn't make me cringe.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I’m running two hydra 32s. I get a bit of disco light effect but they’re is plenty of spread and par. Brs made a video of the hydras recently

 

[Mical]

I run 3 Kessil 360we's over my 120 and everything grows like weeds.