lighting for 125g
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19657
Printed Date: December 05 2025 at 8:22am
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Topic: lighting for 125g
Posted By: trilok2000
Subject: lighting for 125g
Date Posted: August 03 2007 at 3:22am
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I have a 48" JBL aqualighting system, with two 10,000K 20"(??) coralite (don't know the watts) and two blue lights. The blue lights are gone and I need to replace them. Anyway, is that 48" lighting system is sufficient for my new 125g, in which I'm planning to have corals and fish? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: August 03 2007 at 8:22am
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Pc? T5? It sounds like a 260w pc fixture. That would be 4' and your tank should be 6'. The light will be marginal for a fish only tank but far from the needed lighting for a reef tank. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 03 2007 at 9:11am
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It could be sufficient for a while, since you are considering placing the tank in a window. How many hours of direct sunlight will shine on the tank? ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: shaggydoo
Date Posted: August 03 2007 at 9:19pm
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If its PC, and it sounds like it is, that can work depending on what you want. But I found PC to be very limiting. ------------- 60g LPS Cube |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: August 03 2007 at 10:12pm
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Do they make 6 foot T5's, or is your only option with a 125 to stagger them? I'm just curious for my next tank. I'm going T5's, for get MH's (I'm with you on this one shaggydoo...)
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 03 2007 at 10:21pm
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The widest bulbs I have seen is 60" they do make 6' fixtures but they use 3' bulbs side by side.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: shaggydoo
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 12:10am
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I have seen 5' t5s as well, but beyond that I have only seen mh combined with pc/t5 for actinics. Or some just have staggered pc/t5 bulbs only on the entire fixture. ------------- 60g LPS Cube |
Posted By: jeffras
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 12:49am
When I went with t5's I just used the 4 footers. The selections of bulb colors for 5 footers really sucks. I was going to stager them but decided not to at the last minute. For the ends I am using some of those crappy MH bulbs that I had laying around. I end up only running the MH a few hours on a few days because they heat the tank up so much. Surprisingly the 4 foot t5ho's in the center light everything pretty well.
------------- Jeff Rasmussen |
Posted By: shaggydoo
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 3:20am
What do you mean surprisingly? I'm not surprised  ------------- 60g LPS Cube |
jeffras wrote:Posted By: jeffras
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 8:52am
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I was surprised that the 1 foot area at each end of the tank are lit well enough for me with just the 4 foot bulbs. I should have worded that differently. Once I saw Aaron's tank I was convinced that t5ho was the lighting I wanted. ------------- Jeff Rasmussen |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 9:14am
Aaron does have a beautiful tank and I do love those T5s!
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 11:00am
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Aaron, It looks like you're converting everyone to T5's. Good job ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: shaggydoo
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 11:13pm
I'm trying. Luckily its not a tough sell. One look at an all t5 tank and most are convinced. It doesn't appeal to everyone though. ------------- 60g LPS Cube |
Posted By: dustponds10
Date Posted: August 04 2007 at 11:49pm
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Aaron would you be willing to post some pics? Sorry to hijack. I bought a TEK fixture from Jeffras and I love them I just would like to see some more pics of other peoples tanks witht this lighting. Just to excite me more you know ------------- 120 ASM G-3 T-5 lighting 130 frag system T-5 lighting asm G-1x |
Posted By: shaggydoo
Date Posted: August 05 2007 at 3:08am
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Well my wife took the camera for the weekend but as soon as I get it back I'll try to post some more. I've got a thread somewhere in the general forum but it is mostly fish pics. ------------- 60g LPS Cube |
Posted By: ReefBones
Date Posted: August 05 2007 at 11:17am
LOL ... HALIDES!!!!!! the ONLY way to go!
  The way I see it is for the same ammount of light you will be into it pretty dang close to the same ammount of money .. and your electric bill will not change .. ------------- 140 gallon Reef 65 gallon Reef 55 gallon Aggressive www.thesalttank.com 801-865-6074 "encourage other divers and sea enthusiasts to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but bubbles" |
Posted By: shaggydoo
Date Posted: August 05 2007 at 4:41pm
But what if you could get the same intensity (well actually more) with less wattage? I had the option of going 2 250w halides and some actinics, total over 600 watts. Instead I chose a t5 system with only a little over 400 watts. GO T5!!! But there is more to it than watts. Personal preference counts, I guess, but only my personal preference...  ------------- 60g LPS Cube |
Posted By: Dale
Date Posted: August 06 2007 at 8:16pm
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commercial lighting sells 6' t5's ------------- Dale 29g biocube Ecoxotic LED mod West Jordan |
Posted By: ct79
Date Posted: August 07 2007 at 12:20am
member_profile.asp?PF=1774&FID=5 - dustponds10
,
I run T-5's on my tank here are a few pics.      ------------- Midvale |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 07 2007 at 8:11am
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Very nice! Mike ------------- |
Posted By: mummy
Date Posted: August 07 2007 at 9:41am
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Wow, beautiful blue. I think I will put some T5s in mine too  . BTW, what can I put in my 55gal if I have 260W PC? (soft? hard coral?)Sorry to hijack OP  |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 07 2007 at 9:45am
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Softies, & most LPS. Maybe some Montiporas.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: mummy
Date Posted: August 07 2007 at 9:49am
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Thanks Mike, That will be enough for me this time |