T5, single, or double bright LED

[havoc17]

Brand new to the club and just started my 125 gallon FOWLR tank. I do not currently have plans of having any corals or plants in the tank, at least not anytime soon. I have 4 fish, powder blue tang, yellow tang, blue tang, and an emperor angelfish, all juveniles. Any suggestions on what lights that I should get to make the tank look its best? Thanks!

 

[redstang]

Can't help you with the light but welcome to the ARC!

 

[picoreefguy]

welcome to the club. im not an expert on lighting but i have seen and used a few diffrent kinds and i can tell you that you dont want to waste your money on any of the marineland led's they dont put out enough light to be worth anything specially on a large tank like yours. you could spend the same amount of money on t5's as you would on the 2-3 double bright fixtures it would take to light your tank properly and you would have a much brighter tank and have the option of changing the "look" of it by using diffrent bulbs. just a word of caution you will most likely get bit by the coral bug so if you have even the faintest interest in coral right now you might as well invest in a good fixture now so you wont have to upgrade down the road. if that is the case and you want to invest in some good led systems check out the kessil a360w, AI hydra or vega, Ecotech Marine radion, or reefbreeders all of which i have heard good things about and i have had a radion on my tank for over 2 years now and love it so that is the one i would recommend. anyway sorry for blabering on hope i helped. and if you have any questions fell free to ask.

Edit: just a heads up if you do go with one of the led fixtures i mentioned you will need 2 or 3 depending on which one you choose

 

[jdw]

picoreefguy;921776 wrote: welcome to the club. Im not an expert on lighting but i have seen and used a few diffrent kinds and i can tell you that you dont want to waste your money on any of the marineland led's they dont put out enough light to be worth anything specially on a large tank like yours. You could spend the same amount of money on t5's as you would on the 2-3 double bright fixtures it would take to light your tank properly and you would have a much brighter tank and have the option of changing the "look" of it by using diffrent bulbs. Just a word of caution you will most likely get bit by the coral bug so if you have even the faintest interest in coral right now you might as well invest in a good fixture now so you wont have to upgrade down the road. If that is the case and you want to invest in some good led systems check out the kessil a360w, ai hydra or vega, ecotech marine radion, or reefbreeders all of which i have heard good things about and i have had a radion on my tank for over 2 years now and love it so that is the one i would recommend. Anyway sorry for blabering on hope i helped. And if you have any questions fell free to ask.

Edit: Just a heads up if you do go with one of the led fixtures i mentioned you will need 2 or 3 depending on which one you choose

+1

 

[snowmansnow]

If you're just doing fish... then it isn't going to matter a whole lot...

If you go t5 and you want a marine look go with (assuming 4 lamps) Id use

2 Blue Special
2 Blue +
Both from ATI

 

[nickg]

Think about if you want the "shimmer" as well. LED's and Halides will provide shimmer. CF and T5 do not "shimmer." There are some nice LED stips out ther now as well.

 

[snowmansnow]

For fish only led may b the way to go these days

 

[havoc17]

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcomes and the advice, it is much appreciated! I've found the Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System for just under $300. Are these worth the money? Anyone with experience with them?

 

[camellia]

Welcome to ARC!
I haven't heard anything positive about the Marineland LED so I can't help you there, sorry. I also use the Radion LED.