TRENT Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Need help picking a light for a 120 gallon standard Reef tank. Would like to be able to keep anything I wanted. Thanks in advance. 48" Aqua Medic Ocean Light 2x250w metal halide; used 400.00 no bulbs http://www.aquacave.com/spacelight-ex-48-metal-halidebrfixture-2x250w-hqibr-2x54w-t5-by-aquamedic-1113.html Or Sunlight Supply Tek-Light T5 48 inch, 8X54 Watt Fixture; used 325.00 w/bulbs http://www.directaquarium.com/Sunlight-Supply-Tek-Light-48in-8X54w-p/12611.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Thats a tough one. Both are great lights. Do you have a preference MH vs T5? How old are the T5 bulbs?? Is money an issue?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I worry about only 2 MH on a 120 gallon...I am running 3x 250w MH with 4 pc on my 135gallon and it is barely enough...400w would be too much... DrMerle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Im guessing since they are 4' fixtures that its a 4' tank. Either fixture would be able to keep anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRENT Posted September 22, 2010 Author Share Posted September 22, 2010 Thats a tough one. Both are great lights. Do you have a preference MH vs T5? How old are the T5 bulbs?? Is money an issue?? Lights are 2 weeks old supposedly. He had the lights on a 55 gallon and found it was to much light. I'm pretty new at SW so I don't have a preference on lighting type. Money is always an issue but I'm the type that will spend a little extra to get what I want and not have to upgrade in a year. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRENT Posted September 22, 2010 Author Share Posted September 22, 2010 I worry about only 2 MH on a 120 gallon...I am running 3x 250w MH with 4 pc on my 135gallon and it is barely enough...400w would be too much... DrMerle So you think the T5 fixture? Am I suppose to look at watts per gallon or is that old school? R-3 yes it's a 4' tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danik Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I worry about only 2 MH on a 120 gallon...I am running 3x 250w MH with 4 pc on my 135gallon and it is barely enough...400w would be too much... DrMerle I run 3 250w on my 300g display and I hit 250 with the light meter on the sand. (24" deep tank). 950 on the top water and 550 in the middle. It's all about the reflectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Just like Danik said I'm guessing your looking at a 24" deep tank. If so I would suggest halides so it opens up all the possibilities for anything you may want to add in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadams7 Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I have ran 2x250w halides on 120g tanks before and everything did great. I would definitely recommend the halides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I have ran 2x250w halides on 120g tanks before and everything did great. I would definitely recommend the halides. Same here, it's all about the reflectors & bulbs. I got a buddy that gets 800 par readings in the bottom of a 32" deep 110 gallon with 2 250 watt bulbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClayTheSavageFraser Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Halides!! For sure!! I have 2/250's on a 90 along with vhos. Do you have a canopy? Clay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wegotjs Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 48" Aqua Medic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wegotjs Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 48" Aqua Medic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherguy30 Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I've been hearing good things about plasma lighting. But it's pretty spendy yet. http://www.aquaticselite.com/Sfiligo...lasma_s/53.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hozer21 Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Have you checked out http://www.aquatraders.com/ this where I got my lights from and I have been happy with them for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Have you checked out http://www.aquatraders.com/ this where I got my lights from and I have been happy with them for a while Everytime I check that site they are always out of stock. They are a decent setup for the price but you can get a much nicer used setup for just a little more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRENT Posted September 22, 2010 Author Share Posted September 22, 2010 Thanks everyone, I emailed the guy about the 48" Aqua Medic. Looks like a nice setup for the money. Hopefully he gets back to me. Tell you how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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