Lighting option for 135g tank

[Bioguy7]

Hi, Absolute Newbie here..
I am setting up a 135g tank 6 feet long, 22 inches deep and 18 inches wide.
Want to grow lots of hard and soft corals along with fish. What lighting setup should I use. I would prefer LED lights and want something that sits flush on the top of the aquarium.
Thanks,
BG7

[jda]

Probably nothing will sit flush - there is too much humidity and splashes. You can get legs and keep them pretty close, like at 5-6."

For LED, it is up to you. You looking for easy to control? Easy to use? Lots of features like thunderstorms and lighting or no frills, just light? Lots of color control, or mostly just plug and play? Do you need to be able to control the lights from your phone when on the commode or couch, or do dials on the side of the panel work?

[LQT]

If you're handy, perhaps you could build a canopy to sit flush over your tank rim to house your lights. Otherwise, as jda said, having fixtures sit flush is not a good idea.

What's your budget for lighting?

[Bioguy7]

Hi, thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay. I am looking for something simple, no bells and whistles. The aquarium is along the wall. So I can fix it to the wall instead of putting it on the aquairum itself. I have no idea about the range of prices. I know these LED lights can be expensive.

[Bioguy7]

Bump! Looking for the simplest set up of lights. Any recommendations.

[Ron Reefman]

Two ViparSpectra 32" fixtures. Inexpensive, well made, good light, 2 channel control. Not the best looking, but a typical black box fixture.

[Bioguy7]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Two ViparSpectra 32" fixtures. Inexpensive, well made, good light, 2 channel control. Not the best looking, but a typical black box fixture.

Thank you RR. I see in Amazon that there is one VS 165W for aquarium and several other wattage labeled for indoor plants. So 165W is the correct one?

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[Bpb]

No the 165 watt one is tiny. You can use that one but you’d need 4-5 of them rather than two 32” versions. I️ don’t know the exact wattage of the bigger one. But like others have said. The only led fixtures out there designed to sit perfectly flush on the tank will not be powerful enough for hard corals


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[Bioguy7]

Originally Posted by Bpb

No the 165 watt one is tiny. You can use that one but you’d need 4-5 of them rather than two 32” versions. I️ don’t know the exact wattage of the bigger one. But like others have said. The only led fixtures out there designed to sit perfectly flush on the tank will not be powerful enough for hard corals


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Umm. I cant seem to find 32" size. Can you please post a link.

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[Bpb]

You should be able to find it on e bay. I️ believe auction site link posting is against the rules


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[Bioguy7]

Gosh, I still can't find it. However, any comments about these -
Evergrow AquaOcean IT5012 Controllable Full Spectrum LED - 48", 240W

[Cheapreef]

Originally Posted by Bioguy7

Gosh, I still can't find it. However, any comments about these -
Evergrow AquaOcean IT5012 Controllable Full Spectrum LED - 48", 240W

Your looking at the one ReefSupplies carries, they are Identical to the the ReefBreeder Photon 50-V2 that Ron likes. They get very good reviews, you should be more than happy with one of those over your tank IMO

[Bioguy7]

Originally Posted by Cheapreef

Your looking at the one ReefSupplies carries, they are Identical to the the ReefBreeder Photon 50-V2 that Ron likes. They get very good reviews, you should be more than happy with one of those over your tank IMO

Thanks. Will order one tonight.

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[Ron Reefman]

The EverGrow and Reef Breeders fixtures are very similar and they are both made by EverGrow in China. IMHO they are the best value fixture if you want all the color control (6 channels) and sunrise/sunset. If that kind of control isn't something you want, there are less expensive fixtures. BTW, your fish and coral really don't give a rat's a$$ about all that control. That's really there to give us something to play with!

Yes, I like Reef Breeders and EverGrow fixtures. I had the fist generation fixture for 5+ years and now I've had the 2nd generation for a year. I enjoy the control and you couldn't convince me to spend more on much higher end fixtures (read: expensive) that offer very little extra.