Recommendations on lighting for 125 system?

[Snagrio]

Recently got a 125 gallon with LED lighting (two Aqueon strip lights that only have a single strip of white LEDs in each hood) that I don't think will suffice for even the lowest light plants. Just by looking at the tank alone it hasn't been cleaned by the previous owner for quite a while and there's scarcely any algae in it.

So what plant-friendly but cost-effective lights would be recommended to replace them?

 

[FreshyFresh]

Is this a 4, 5 or 6ft length tank?

What type of plants to you intend to keep?

 

[dougall]

budget?

 

[Sprinkle]

How does the light system look like? A photo would help me and us all

 

[Snagrio]

Apologies should've been more clear in the initial post. The tank is 6' long, 18" wide and 21" tall. The species would be low light beginner ones like Java ferns/moss, anubias and hornwort (all types that don't need to be planted in substrate as clown loaches will live in it). Though I'm considering experimenting on planting the hornwort around rocks to see if such a thing's feasible, and if not they can grow as floaters anyway. As for budget I'd like to spend less than $100. Already know even with budget models it's going to cost a bit since it's two 36" hoods.

Here's the pics of the lights (ignore the cichlids, they came with the tank and will be rehomed).

 

[FJB]

I have been very happy with 2 36" Finnex FugeRay Planted Plus lights, end-to-end on t=op of my 125g. It's been 2+ years, going strong. I have the equivalent light (but a single 48") across a 75gal as well. Good luck!

 

[FreshyFresh]

It's possible the LED lighting you have could support aubia and java fern, especially if you tie it off or fasten it up higher on decor like driftwood, etc.

 

[NoahLikesFish]

You could use t5

 

[dougall]

with that budget, I would maybe go with a pair of 36" Nicrew or Beamsworks lights.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I see beamswork, odyssea and many no name 72" LED strip lights for just over $100 and up. Go for the most lumens you can for the $.

If you wanted to run 320 watts worth of fluorescent, Odyssea's 4 tube 72" T5HO runs $180.

If you wanted to go ultra cheap and buy something from your local home/hardware store, you can buy two 4 ft shop lights, either T8 fluorescent of LED and stagger them over the tank. I think some LED shop lights can be had in 36" lengths.