Lighting for a 125 gallon hi tech

[jemmanuel]

I've had my 125g a few years and did the low tech thing with Ok success. Now I need to replace my coralife fixtures (endcaps melted to the bulbs can't find replacement for square pin endcaps) and I figured I'd expand my horizons and try co2.
I got a great deal on a fully automatic co2 system with, ph controller, bubble counter, aquamedic 1000 reactor, and a pump. I'm going to use a 10 lbs co2 tank.
I'd like to grow whatever I want so I'm thinking I need at least 390 watts power compacts or 320watts ho t5s. I'm liking 67k bulbs, maybe with colormax. Like I said, I got the co2 system cheap. I've been shopping around ebay and the web, and still not sure what to get as far as lighting. I guess the problem is that I'm trying to be cost efficient, and want replacement bulbs that are economical and easy to find. I'd like to spend around $400 or less. All suggestions welcome!!!

My old fixtures- three coralife 2x 65watt 67k - on top of glass canopy. 4 bulbs working- 260 watts

Tank dimensions - 72" x 18" deep x 24" high

[jemmanuel]

By the way. I have found those coralife fixtures i've had for $105 ea. So plus shipping, It would cost $375 to get the same previous lighting. I've also found on ebay, a catalina aquarium fixture 72" with the same six 65 watt bulbs so it would be raised off the canopy with legs. Maybe I can do an open top tank. I don't know if the quality of catalina is any good. I'd rather spend more money on quality than to get something that's going to break. ALSO I'M CONCERNED THE TWO BRACES ON THE TOP OF TANK WILL LEAVE SHADOWS IF I DEVIATE FROM THE THREE SECTION, 6 BULB SETUP.

[Deahttub]

Originally Posted by jemmanuel

By the way. I have found those coralife fixtures i've had for $105 ea. So plus shipping, It would cost $375 to get the same previous lighting. I've also found on ebay, a catalina aquarium fixture 72" with the same six 65 watt bulbs so it would be raised off the canopy with legs. Maybe I can do an open top tank. I don't know if the quality of catalina is any good. I'd rather spend more money on quality than to get something that's going to break. ALSO I'M CONCERNED THE TWO BRACES ON THE TOP OF TANK WILL LEAVE SHADOWS IF I DEVIATE FROM THE THREE SECTION, 6 BULB SETUP.

I have the 72" fixture from catalina and i love it...i highly reccomend them...if you call them they will even customize the hood to what you want....

[jemmanuel]

Originally Posted by Deahttub

I have the 72" fixture from catalina and i love it...i highly reccomend them...if you call them they will even customize the hood to what you want....

Thanks for the response. Are you using catalina's power compact or ho t5?
What a coincidence. I lived in South Florida two years ago and worked at Coral Springs Medical Center :-)

[jemmanuel]

Originally Posted by Cassie1122

sounds great.but have you ever heard about Aquarium LED light?it sounds helpful for fish growing.

Welcome! I'm one day old on here. lol
I have read on LED's, my problem is for my size tank they are around $3,000 or some ridiculous price. I can get the output I want for $250- $550 with CP or HO T5's for now.

[Deahttub]

Originally Posted by jemmanuel

Thanks for the response. Are you using catalina's power compact or ho t5?
What a coincidence. I lived in South Florida two years ago and worked at Coral Springs Medical Center :-)

What a small world...I live like 3 miles from there! I am running 4 80W T5HO. I only run two 8 hours, and I have the second pair come on for a 'noon burst'. The hood is 8" wide, and that really helps to spread the light throughout the whole tank...call catalina they are very helpful, and will design the hood how you want it....can't say enough good things about them....

[jemmanuel]

Originally Posted by Deahttub

What a small world...I live like 3 miles from there! I am running 4 80W T5HO. I only run two 8 hours, and I have the second pair come on for a 'noon burst'. The hood is 8" wide, and that really helps to spread the light throughout the whole tank...call catalina they are very helpful, and will design the hood how you want it....can't say enough good things about them....

Ok. Update your profile so we can see you tank. I'm going to consider that. Are you able to find 80watt bulbs readily? I'm assuming the lights are staggered because they are 60" long. So far I'm thinking six 65 watt PC, four 80 watt ho t5, or eight 39 watt ho t5. The prices are $260, $400, $550 respectively.

I'm really excited to finally get co2!!

[Deahttub]

Originally Posted by jemmanuel

Ok. Update your profile so we can see you tank. I'm going to consider that. Are you able to find 80watt bulbs readily? I'm assuming the lights are staggered because they are 60" long. So far I'm thinking six 65 watt PC, four 80 watt ho t5, or eight 39 watt ho t5. The prices are $260, $400, $550 respectively.

I'm really excited to finally get co2!!

Ya they are staggered....i have no issues getting bulbs...i may have to special order them tho...ive been slacking! Ill update my profile..

[jemmanuel]

So I've decided to go with the eight 39watt ho t5 fixture. The built in timer on the Aquaticlife was too much to pass up. Hopefully I'll start the project next weekend!

[aquatic serenity]

8x39 is decent...you could even go 12x39

[Deahttub]

Originally Posted by jemmanuel

So I've decided to go with the eight 39watt ho t5 fixture. The built in timer on the Aquaticlife was too much to pass up. Hopefully I'll start the project next weekend!

A built in timer is very conveingnent...cant wait to see the set up...

[jemmanuel]

Originally Posted by aquatic serenity

8x39 is decent...you could even go 12x39

I did consider 12X39 but from what I've been reading on here most people aren't going over 3 watts per gallon with ho t5's. 12 would put me at 468 watts, almost 4 wpg.
I'm thinking the amazon/discus plants will work well with this wattage.

[jemmanuel]

Originally Posted by Deahttub

A built in timer is very conveingnent...cant wait to see the set up...

So I see you're working on your 125g as well! I hope to have mine planted by next weekend! I'll be in Sunrise, FL for a week next month!

[Deahttub]

Originally Posted by jemmanuel

So I see you're working on your 125g as well! I hope to have mine planted by next weekend! I'll be in Sunrise, FL for a week next month!

Yeh im still fiddling with mine...you should check out some of the cool stores in the area.....this one is my favorite.....

http://tropicalfishmiami.reachlocal...._id=3500738683

[bubbleboy]

I have an Aquamedic 8 X 54W T5 on my 120, it grows anything but you have to keep the co2 up and the ferts..

I did a residential solar project once and discovered there is about 300W of sunlight hitting the earth for every square yard so my fixture is a bit over that, that extra 100W is good to get the HC growing well on the bottom and keeping it compact.

I found that the brighter the lights, the more compact the plants grow which is good. They look much fuller that most photos I have seen of other people's tanks with half the lighting..