Help Lighting for 125g

[tyler6508]

I'm looking for suggestions on lighting for my 125g im picking up in a couple weeks. I'm retrofitting since i cant hang my lights. I want to go with 150w or 250w. I'm thinking i want to use the icecap ballasts. I just dont know what type of ballasts to get or what kind of reflectors either. I cant decide on 10k or 14k bulbs those. Help?

The dimensions of this 125g are 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8 (LxWxH)

 

[aerius007]

It really depends on what you want to keep in your tank but 150w would be a bit small for a 125 in my opinion. 3 250w would be great and way cheaper to run than 400w, and 10k's usually have too much of a yellow look for my taste. I bought my fixture with 10k's thinking I wouldnt mind getting the extra growth you get from 10k's but after a week I couldnt take it and got 14k's instead.

 

[tyler6508]

well it is 3 different fixtures. would it be worth it to mix the bulbs maybe a 14k in the middle and 10 ks on the outside 2? or vice versa?

what kinda reflector should i do?

I've been looking at Lumenarc 3 minis cause the lumenarc 3 exceeds the width of the tank.

but then again ive also looked at this
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Me...e_Retrofit_Kit_w!_175W_14000K_Ushio_by_IceCap

 

[Garth Schafluetzel]

check out DIY reef one of the sponsers on here im running 3 250's on a 125 with about the same diminsions and when i did thii got 2 reflectors the same as the one pictured in reef geek . i forget the exact name of the ballest but it was a dual 250 wat ballest and i had an extra de pendant that i used above the center brace didnt see the need fo the extra mile there but i think that with my rebuild/and design on my system i might have it worked out to were ill be using 4 250's 2 on each side about 61/2 inches off the water. i personally love 20k look but they 14's arnt to shabby but ive always hated 10k

 

[gilmour01]

i wouldnt mix bulb colors...i think it would look a little odd, but thats just my .02. you definitely want to go with 250w over 150w and the icecap ballast are very nice.

 

[tyler6508]

Garth, I dont understand what your saying about your set up. do you have any pics? or could you take them? I'm really trying to decide on the best design for the canopy.

 

[Garth Schafluetzel]

its a very poor pic but its the only one i have that u can actually see the lighting. ive since moved the lights lower and removed thpaneling im planning on builingd a false wall around my tank

 

[tyler6508]

alright cool. thanks. suggestions from anyone else with a 125 or similar? bring them on. I got a little while before i get lights so i need all the suggestions i can get.

 

[MSU Fan]

My buddy has an awesome 125g - 3 250 phoenix 14k MH's with 4 54w UVL Actinic+ T5s to supplement...b-e-a-utiful.

 

[BigBadZoaDaddy]

My buddy has an awesome 125g - 3 250 phoenix 14k MH's with 4 54w UVL Actinic+ T5s to supplement...b-e-a-utiful.

I would do this combo, but the picture you have is for a SE MH bulb, and I think if you go with phoenix 250, your gonna want it to be HQI or Double Ended.

If you go with a HQI 250 you will be getting much more out of the bulb than going with 250 SE.

I run 3 250 LumenMax Elite - HQI Reflector - 250W - 13 in. x 9 1/2 in. x 4 1/2 in.
With Ushio 20 K and 4 3' T-5 PureActinic Giesemann
Ballast is ablue wave 7, blue wave 5 and Icecap for the T-5s

Love the color and the growth.

 

[ahayes13]

i have a 120 and tried a few diff. combos, before choosing one.

right now i have lumenmax elite reflectors with 2 se radium 250's run on pfo ballasts + 4 t5 ati actinics. i LOVE the look and the tank coverage i get.

here is a pic of my tank....

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n466/ahayes13pictures/tank%20shots/IMG_7909.jpg?t=1237084779

 

[reefz3ro]

+1 about 250w and 14k thats what i would go with

 

[Hypertek99]

I would go with 250's too with Phoenix 14k's all the way. Or Radium 20k if you have the cash.

 

[rniedzia]

radium 20k +1

 

[Tanked]

250's with 14k phoenix

 

[customcolor]

radium 20k +1

+2
yes they are little more for the bulb but well worth it...i run 2 250w radiums on a blue wave 7 ballast and im imprest with them!! i have lumanarc minis for the reflectors...very crisp white with a hint of blue...in the center of my 125 i run a 175w old 14k cuz of lower light corals are at the bottom of the tank ther

its hard to get a realy good pic of the lighting cuz its so nice and bright but here you go...