suggestions for lighting new tank

Will be getting the new tank this weekend. It is a 120g 48" tank which is replacing our 125g long tank. It is going to be a SPS tank with some clams. Have only had MH lights in past (4 250w 14k bulbs with 16 actenic) but am thinking about doing LED's. Suggestions/recommendations?

 

On a 120, Do some halides, 2 250w perhaps, and then either do 2 DIY blue strips:
24 LED Actinic Supplement Kit
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/...pplement-48-light-strip-92290.html#post938838
Or some premade ones such as ecoxotic panorama LED tubes
I would wait a few before going for LED...

 

that was kind of what i was thinking.......I was pricing LED and for a 48" we are talking anywhere between 1800 to 3200 (Reef capable module ones) The other problem I forsee is that the tank is fat and tall, so I worry that the light wont get all the way down.

the tank has a canopy with it, so we can always do our our DIY lighting and can always add some LED bulbs later!

 

for SPS dominant I wont recommend LED yet... They arent capable of what halides are. In fact, a friend of mine has been keeping data logs of growth between the two and LEDs are only getting about half the growth of halides in his grow-out tanks.

2 250w or 400w halides with good reflectors. Blue LEDs can be used for actinic and do bring out the AMAZING colors verrry well!

 

Yeah, that is why I was shying away from LED when I started my 120 (fell through ) I think supplementation would be your best bet. The tank is wide and most fixture that cn make it deep have very narrow optics and little spread. Take this Orphek as an example: YouTube - Tank with Orphek LED

 

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Those beauties need MH.

But if you must, and if I did go to the dark side I would replicate this members lighting system for sps.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/video-tour-my-225-equipment-109104.html

 

Luckily the top will have a canopy so we will have more options with DYI lighting. I had been so focused on looking for actual light fixtures that I forgot about doing the DYI part of it. We have a bunch of new 250w 14k bulbs (as we were just getting ready to replace the bulbs) so will probably look towards the 250 MH.

I know Inwall has everything figured out what we will do, however I like to look, learn and read about all the possibilities because I am dumb when it comes to lighting! I am very happy that we dont have to rush and put the tank up......we can make sure we have everything the way we want it.

 

Aqua Illuminations only for me. They do everything well. no heat, 1/3 the watts, no ballasts, fully programmable, dimmable,moon cycle, thunderstorm, easy mounting, upgradability, 50,000 hrs lamplife.

what else could you possibly want?

no brainer!!!!!!!

 

Those stating that you can't use LED are uninformed and living in the past (no harm intended). LEDs are perfect for any coral. Here are some sites to check out;

www.LEDwholesalers.com - WHITE + BLUE LED Aquarium Reef corals grow light Panel

LED Aquarium Light; AquaRay AquaBeam, GroBeam Cree XR, XG Emitter; PAR 38 & Rio Mini Sun Lights

 

yeah kind of going back to the LED route again I think! I originally thought this was going to replace the 125g tank, and go in its spot. However Curt has already planned on fixing that tank and wants to put this tank up in addition to the other tank. Where we are thinking is going to be in the same room as the other tank (has 4 MH, 8 actinic). I think the heat from new MH will bake us!