Lights for 75 gallon Tank

[rooneyj889]

Hey all, I currently have a relatively new 75 gallon tank and am looking at getting lights relatively soon as i am nearing the end of my cycle. I am planning on waiting a while to turn on the lights after the cycle so as to reduce algae growth. However, since this is my first tank I have no clue what to get. I dont want to get anything too expensive but also not too cheap. Im planning on doing fish only at first and eventually put mixed corals in. Any suggestions would help! Thanks.

 

[BlennyTime]

Welcome!! Are you planning to do corals, or just fish? The requirements are much less for fish only tanks.

 

[rooneyj889]

Welcome!! Are you planning to do corals, or just fish? The requirements are much less for fish only tanks.

As I said at the end of my OP, I am planning on doing fish only and then transitioning to mixed corals.

 

[A. grandis]

48" SunPower High Output T5 Light Fixture

Just 2.1" thick, 48" ATI SunPower High Output T5 fixture provides optimal performance in a slim, contemporary design. Parabolic Miro-Silver reflectors made from silver-coated 98% reflective aluminum for each bulb Active cooling system 2 Power cords - one controls 2 bulbs and the other controls...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Get the 6 bulb fixture and forget about any problems with lighting your tank forever!! Grow any coral you want. Use only 2 or 4 bulbs with he fish, then turn the rest on when corals arrive!

 

[BlennyTime]

As I said at the end of my OP, I am planning on doing fish only and then transitioning to mixed corals.

Sorry, totally missed that. Kessil or Radion are probably the top 2 LED brands in the hobby, with prices to match. I ran 2 Radion XR15's over my mixed reef 75, and they cost around $800 total.

If you plan to do SPS, you may need to suplement with T5's to get the required light intensity (PAR). Otherwise, most people run LED's because coral colors tend to "pop" more in the blue and UV lights they provide.

 

[nereefpat]

Your options, as always, are:

Metal halide
T5
LED
Or combo of MH+LED or T5+LED

You did say "not too expensive." The cheapest option that can still grow corals would be 'black box' type LEDs like marsaqua or viparspectra. The most expensive would be the fanciest LEDs + T5 supplement. The 'best' depends on everyone's individual preferences.

 

[rwreef]

I run two Radeon xr15 pro over my 75g