Lighting for a 125

[jeffandlinda]

What is the best light fixture I can get for a 72" x 18" reef tank? I am handy if they sell kits because price does always help. Thanks for any help..

 

[Brenden]

Personally I would do 3-250w MH pendants. I like the HQI sun replicators. It really depends on what you want to keep in the tank. With the setup I mentioned you could keep anything.

 

[jeffandlinda]

best place to buy?

Personally I would do 3-250w MH pendants. I like the HQI sun replicators. It really depends on what you want to keep in the tank. With the setup I mentioned you could keep anything.

What would be the best place to buy this setup? Thanks

P.S. I'm a newbie

 

[Krish]

I agree with Brian (Brenden) and a great place to look would be at one of the sponsors www.premiumaquatics.com I had two different PFO retro kits one was dual 250w MH's and one was a single 250 and was real happy with them. Hope that helps and welcome to the forum if I haven't welcomed you already

 

[Reefdaddy1]

I have the same tank as you are going to use I am currently in the process of putting up, Iam going to use 3-250watt MH HQI pendents with Phoenix 14k bulbs. There are many options on ballasts to buy , you can see that by my store. But if any questions you need help with dont hesitate to ask.

 

[jeffandlinda]

Ok Go Slow i am retired Navy ..

I have the same tank as you are going to use I am currently in the process of putting up, Iam going to use 3-250watt MH HQI pendents with Phoenix 14k bulbs. There are many options on ballasts to buy , you can see that by my store. But if any questions you need help with dont hesitate to ask.

I'm retired Navy so you got to go slow. What all do i need to buy from your shop to get the setup you are going for and total price. Thanks for the help ....

 

[Brenden]

so you got to go slow

keep that attitude and you will be successful in this hobby. You just need 3 ballast and 3 pendants. You also need to decide what kind of bulbs you want. 10k is white, 20k is blue. You have bulbs in between like 12k, 14k, 15k, etc
Are you going to hang the lights from the ceiling or are you going to make a canopy for them?

 

[jeffandlinda]

keep that attitude and you will be successful in this hobby. You just need 3 ballast and 3 pendants. You also need to decide what kind of bulbs you want. 10k is white, 20k is blue. You have bulbs in between like 12k, 14k, 15k, etc
Are you going to hang the lights from the ceiling or are you going to make a canopy for them?

I just ordered a canopy off ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...earch.dll?from=R40&satitle=180095852732&fvi=1
i do like the blue but what is best for color. Are the night lights necessary or just nice to have. Its tough being new at this. Thanks

 

[Brenden]

Best color will be achieved with 20k bulbs but they will make the tank blue. (which I like) 20k bulbs have less PAR than a 10k bulb which basically means the light is less intense. With 3- 250w on your tank that will not be a issue. The night/moon lights are mostly just for your pleasure. Some say it helps stimulate corals ie spawning but they are not required. What do you plan to keep in the tank?

 

[jeffandlinda]

Easy Corals

Best color will be achieved with 20k bulbs but they will make the tank blue. (which I like) 20k bulbs have less PAR than a 10k bulb which basically means the light is less intense. With 3- 250w on your tank that will not be a issue. The night/moon lights are mostly just for your pleasure. Some say it helps stimulate corals ie spawning but they are not required. What do you plan to keep in the tank?

I'm going to try and start with the easy stuff first and see how it works out.
pulsing xenia, different mushrooms, rocks w/ sponges, green/brown buttom pollops, and purple zooanthids. I am open for suggestions thanks

 

[Reefdaddy1]

I'm retired Navy so you got to go slow. What all do i need to buy from your shop to get the setup you are going for and total price. Thanks for the help ....

Well Iam retired Army. Quotes are something I wont do here. Unlike MY bud Krish, I wont pitch my store that often. He has permanent desk with PA so his discount can accumulate for that big purchse comming. But if you want, I am available 10-4 daily by phone PM me your number and I can call and we can discuss your current tank situation.

 

[Brenden]

I thought Krish was part owner at PA now? Opps my fault I meant partial owner at the PP. :badgrin:

 

[Reefdaddy1]

To funny Man