hello everyone, i am in the process of setting up my 125 as a reef. i currently have a 75 setup as my reef. for the 125 i want to use metal halides. my question is what wattage and how many for a six foot tank. i have heard about 10 different suggestions. i would like to hear from folks that have acctually set up and have a working model. also i have read with interest about closed loop circulation systems to match wave flow. what size pumps should i use (flow rate) without overpowering tank? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. as you can probably tell i am just scratching the surface on reef keeping. my 75 has been setup for two years with varying levels of success. so far so good. but i know i have made mistakes. i am a truckdriver and am away from home for usually 5 days at a time, so i need to setup my systems so they are low matinence. i know what your thinking... but that is my deal... any suggestions are welcome.. you can send them to [email protected] thanks for your time..
lighting a 125 reef tank.
- Thread starter kfoell
- Start date
Personally, I would suggest that you get a 120 gallon tank(48 x 24 x 24). It is easier to light and a better shape for aquascaping. I wish I got one instead of the 125 gallon. The cost of replacing two bulbs instead of three is also a plus. It is also more difficult to move water across six feet of tank.
On my 125 I have 3 x 175 watt SE Metal Halides with 2 x 40 watt NO florescent actinics.
For circulation I use two Maxijet 1200's, one Tunze Stream, one Penguin 300 gph PH, and a Mag 18 for the return pump. I plan on replacing a maxi jet with a Vortech pump this Christmas.
For top up I use an AT-1 automatic top off with a maxijet 400 pump.
Best of luck,
Dan
On my 125 I have 3 x 175 watt SE Metal Halides with 2 x 40 watt NO florescent actinics.
For circulation I use two Maxijet 1200's, one Tunze Stream, one Penguin 300 gph PH, and a Mag 18 for the return pump. I plan on replacing a maxi jet with a Vortech pump this Christmas.
For top up I use an AT-1 automatic top off with a maxijet 400 pump.
Best of luck,
Dan
What are you planning to keep? 3x250 W 20K double ended HQI's would be great for just about anything, including many SPS species, tridacnids, etc.
On the other hand a 3x 150W HQI setup would be stellar for just about everything else, including tridacnids.
On the flip side, you'll get poor polyp extension with some soft corals with such bright lighting, and might need something less intense.
Just depends on what you want...and you can substitute 400w moguls for the top option too...in fact if I was setting up an SPS tank right now, that's the way I'd go...400w 20k's.
For Euphylia, less demanding SPS, tridacnids, 150W HQI's
I also agree with the coments on the 120 - nothing beats a 4' tank.
There's more than one way to be successful at this. :wink:
I'll also say that I've been doing this long enought that I'd NEVER attempt a reef tank if I was away so much - best of luck on that one.
Jim
On the other hand a 3x 150W HQI setup would be stellar for just about everything else, including tridacnids.
On the flip side, you'll get poor polyp extension with some soft corals with such bright lighting, and might need something less intense.
Just depends on what you want...and you can substitute 400w moguls for the top option too...in fact if I was setting up an SPS tank right now, that's the way I'd go...400w 20k's.
For Euphylia, less demanding SPS, tridacnids, 150W HQI's
I also agree with the coments on the 120 - nothing beats a 4' tank.
There's more than one way to be successful at this. :wink:
I'll also say that I've been doing this long enought that I'd NEVER attempt a reef tank if I was away so much - best of luck on that one.
Jim
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