Need a new lighting fixture

[goosej13]

Just bought a new 125G

I need some plant lights.

Tank is at a diff location right now so I don't have exact measurements

BUT its approx 6feet high by 18 W and 2 feet tall.

I want some T5 HO I think I will need like a 60 in fixture.. does anyone have any websites for cheap but good fixtures... and what kind of price range should I be looking at.

Is there a way I can do this myself??... Does hardware stores sell the ballast to support t5HO lights?

I will not do C02

 

[goosej13]

So here is where I stand on dimensions

Calculate Tank Volume
Length Width Height
72 18 22in


I have been looking at a few fixtures

I want to throw two 36 in fixtures at the top of this guy

http://www.aquariumguys.com/coralife-lunar-aqualight-t5-ho-fixture-36in.html

http://www.aquariumguys.com/current-nova-extreme36.html


Am i going overkill with those fixtures on a 125 gallonÉ

 

[Fat Homer]

Depends on what you plan on growing i guess? If you're growing say only anubias then that might be overkill, but if you're growing carpets like HC, then the more the better...


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[goosej13]

I want to have a lot of plants. I have not decided yet what I want but it will very heavily planted. The plant decisions are soon to come.

I also have been reading on substrates to put in there. Has anyone every used a clay bottom with a black florite layer ontop of that?

I wouldn't mind hearing what others have done for successful plant

Does anyone know of a cheap website that ships to Canada?

 

[Fat Homer]

If by clay you mean aquarium planting soil such as ADA Amazonia, then yes, i've seen in done in person a few times...

Also, if you're going for a heavily planted tank, its probably a good idea to have some strong lights so you wont be as limited in what you can grow...

Are you planning on going with Co2 as well?


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[goosej13]

No I do not want to have Co2... I have seen so many tanks without it that look amazing... I'm going to look into that ADA

I have never seen it in a tank in person. Lol nor have I ever seen it sold in an aquarium store haha. Where do you find it?

 

[Fat Homer]

Well im spoilt since i live in Hong Kong, so plenty of LFS' trying to out-shine the other which is where i saw it...

The tank had a probably 1" layer of soil in the front and approx 6-7" at some of the higher points, then there was just a thick enough layer of some type of sand at the top...

I guess i should also mention the tank i mentioned didnt have any sort of carpet plant either...


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[goosej13]

Does anyone have a good site to buy light fixtures?? I have seen a few sites and they are VERY different in price... so I am hoping to pick something up pretty cheap...

 

[shadygraddy]

Hello Goose

I just put my Current USA T5 HO light fixture on the buy and trade section.
Brand new in box. 48". $115.00. They are about $145.00 new. Bought it from
Marine Depot here in California. You could put a 48" and a 24" together. The
one I have might be bright enough for your 125, unless you are going to
grow plants. Email me.

 

[MikeFromTheInternet]

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=71_198_200&products_id=1838

That light should be real good for what youre planning. That should put you in low-medium light for a 125. Otherwise you can call them and they can pretty much custom build any fixture youre looking for.