125 gallon reef newby DIY - Page 3 - Aquarium Advice

Ralph · 09-04-2008, 10:58 PM

So I'm thinking that since I'm not going to be using a hood, I should be able to have a bit more flexibility with lighting. I talked to someone at my LFS and he suggested that I could use MH pendulums or go with 5' flourescents. He said that 5' lamps are not necessarily more expensive, but not everyone carries them. Does this sound like sound advice?

I'd like to keep stonies. I think that means that I need lots of blues, which I could get with actinic tubes, or metal halide.

Someone else pointed me to Specialty Lighting at Specialty-Lights: Professional Lighting, Facilities Lighting, Specialty Light, Unique Lighting Systems. I'm looking at the T5 fixtures, but I don't see anything in 5'. Maybe a 4' with a pendulum on each end? Or would that lighting distribution look strange in the tank from the front? I see my choice of tank having a bit impact on the lighting.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ralph

Ralph · 09-04-2008, 11:03 PM

I have thought about multiple fixtures. I didn't think about 2 x 3' for a 6' tank though. I wonder if there's any cost advantage to that arrangement, or maybe allow more options for mixing in different lamps (actinic and daylight for e.g.)

For a 5' tank, which I'd like to try to do, I guess one could use 2' (if there's such a thing) and 3' fixtures.

pat8you · 09-04-2008, 11:32 PM

If you want to keep SPS corals they require more light and you will probably need to look at MH as your main source of light. You can then decide if you want to supplement with T5

Got Water? · 09-05-2008, 12:22 AM

I'll throw another stick on the fire.
Looking at your bar area, have you thought about a tank 4' wide and 30" high, a taller tank might solve some of your lighting issues. And if your going to frame the tank, you will get a more of an "art" look. It's not an unuseual size to find.

**ccCapt** · 09-05-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph

I'd like to keep stonies. I think that means that I need lots of blues, which I could get with actinic tubes, or metal halide.

I see my choice of tank having a bit impact on the lighting.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ralph

The "blue look" is eye candy. A fuller spectrum, 10k-15k will put out all the blue light that corals need.

Tank depth is very important in regards to lighting. Alot also depends on the ballasts, bulbs and reflectors you use. If your going MH, it's usually recommended that 175w is good up to about 22" deep, a 250w up to about 28" and anything over is 400w.
I think anything over 25" may be too deep for T5's, except of course you can just keep the coral higher in the tank.

**Ziggy953** · 09-05-2008, 11:37 AM

Welcome to AA!

I like the ideas you have and the placement of the tank is awesome!

If it were me I would go with a 6' 210 RR tank. I would stay away from the 4x4's. They are not a good idea. Here is the stand template that I used when building for my 120.

As for lighting, if you are going full reef with SPS corals or clams I would suggest a diy style lighting with MH in pendants instead of a fixture. You have more options and it will save you $$$. If you are going to have only the face of the tank showing with trim around it then your lighting can be easily accessed in your fish room.

Take it from me the surface on which you set your tank needs to be perfectly flat and level. I went so far as to buy a slab of granite to sit my tank on. I'm not suggesting you do that but keep it in mind as you build your stand. With a 6' tank you will need good center bracing to keep things level and avoid bowing.

Ralph · 09-06-2008, 11:26 AM

This is all really good input guys. Thank you for keeping me encouraged. I will definitely keep updating you on progress.

Does anyone have an recommendations for a supplier of lighting components?
I'd like to incorporate both MH pendants and fluorescent fixtures.

I'm a bit handy with electronics, so at some point I'll probably play with some ideas for timers for lights and pumps.

Ralph

**Ziggy953** · 09-06-2008, 01:01 PM

I have used Hellolights.com and have always been happy with the service.

**ccCapt** · 09-06-2008, 02:15 PM

I like Hello Lights for bulbs and reflectors too and Ballast Wise for ballasts.

cmor1701d · 09-06-2008, 08:13 PM

I'll also chime in for HelloLights who has a 30 day price match guarantee and has a special for free shipping and "During the month of September all Ushio lamps are on sale! "
Champion Lighting also gets good reviews.