Lighting?

tottenchris

Mud is fun!
Nov 30, 2006
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Kalamazoo, Mi
I'm about to start a 125 saltwater tank with a sump as a filter and I need help on the lighting. :help: What is a cheap way to set it up and still be able to grow some corals? What kind of light should I use? I've never done a saltwater tank so any help will be nice.
Thank you
 
Is your tank 125ltrs are 125g? also whats the length of your tank quick brief

CHEAPEST

T8 with starters Light not great & takes alot of space & plugs.

T8 Luminaire Light not great but is quite compact & normally 1 plug.

T5 with starters light powerful but depending on how many tubes you have could take alot of plugs up.

T5 power compacts Light powerful plus takes little room.

T5 Luminaire Light powerful compacted over the whole of the tank.

Metal halide Very powerful light but costs the most to buy/run & maintain also gets very hot.

Metal halide with T5 tubes The best A+ but as above.

MOST COSTLY

BUT before talking WATTS & the best cheapest light for you we`l need the length of your tank & weather its 125g 125ltr
 
what corals are you looking to keep?
 
IMO, metal halide is the best bet. at least it was for me. i started out thinking id only keep softies. that quickly turned to lps. and now i am concentrating on sps.
id get the most that you can currently afford and it will probably sacve you money down the road with upgrades (ive upgraded 3 times and another one is coming up as soon an my corals get used to my 250 watt halide).
MH will make your sps, lps, and everythign else look nicer also. some especialy low light corals might have to be shaded or off to the side, but even many many "low lighting" corals look better and dobetter under more intense light.
 
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