Quote:
Originally Posted by cathyg_99
im at a loss for what kind of lights to buy i bought the hagens when i had a 120 gallon shallow set up and i was told THESE WILL BE GREAT FOR A REEF...
i dont want to drop $700 but if they will last and i will NEVER have to upgrade then thats fine with me
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you need not drop 700 a 6bulb or an 8bulb tek light would be great for your tank you could grow pretty much most stuff out there with a good t5ho or metal halide......leds someone else can chime in on
with t5's the powerbill is a bit beter and it creates less heat they do have alot of bulbs to choose one so trial and error is a bit pricey. 4,6, or 8 bulb would work great in your tank but id lean towards 6 or 8. research the bulbs you buy
halides are more power to run and alot more heat but they are strong enough to grow most any corals and create a nice shimmer in the water that you cant get with t5's.........personally im a halide fan. halides are better ran with supplemental lighting like t5's so your not running them 12 hrs a day.
leds also give you that shimmer and dont create the heat that halides do they are pricey to buy as complete fixtures but you can make a diy kit to cut down cost's
i deally you want to replicate its natural enviroment as much as possible so low light in the morning resembling sunrise......strong light mid day as the sun is at its highest......low light at evening to resemble dusk......moonlights through out the night
they have combo kits you can buy that have all three and they sell here alot second hand for alot cheaper then they are purchased