Lighting recommends for 120 Gallon mixed reef.

[TCoach]

Looking for recommendations on lighting for my standard 120 gallon tank. Originally, I was going to use T5’s, but the cost and continued availability of the bulbs has me concerned. I have a 3 left over Viparspectra 165’s, but the overpowering white is a big downer.

Any recommendations on budget lights to buy? I’m probably limited to ~$500, so the bigger name brands are out of budget.

Thanks,
-Chris

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

If you were originally set on T5 you could go with a grouping of LED bars from aliexpress or something. I've been really intrigued with idea lately.

 

[rtparty]

Use the Vipars and add something like an AI Blade Glow to get more blue and violet. Lots of LED bars to choose from that will complement what you already have

 

[jtone_philthy_aquatics]

Noo-Psyche K7 Pro III Are awesome lights that are capable of growing sps/lps/soft/invertebrates no problem.​

another really cheap option in this case would be to purchase 3watt 2prong diodes along with some thermal paste and replace some of the whites with colors u want more of blues/cool whites/red/deep red/ I’ve personally Gone as low as 490nm and as high as 740nm for both viparspectras and led bars. If u go this route just be carful with the pcb because viparspectra uses thermal cement so the bond is strong and can potentially damage the board during the removal of the diodes. If that was the case viperspectra will ship new boards out to u (they didn’t even charge me in the past when one of my boards slightly chipped). back when I did that I pretty much copied orpheks spectrum.

 

[twentyleagues]

Maybe use your leftover lights with 2 of these

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I really like my 50/50 21LED ReefBar Pro’s with the SunSetter Control. I’m going on my fifth year with the oldest one and not a bit of problems with any of them. I’ve over grown an extensive list of corals under them. My excuse for adding a 120 gallon tank to my existing 65 gallon.