Lighting for 75 Gallon SPS tank

[Schlafrig]

I'm slowing planning out my next aquarium. I want to do an SPS only 75 Gallon. I have basically all my equipment figured out except for the most important part, the lights. If possible I would like to keep the entire lighting setup under $800 but am willing to go a little higher if needed. Right now I'm trying to determine if I should to T5s, LEDs, or a hybrid setup. T5s seems like they would be in the price range but I am slightly worried about the possibility of the lights no longer being made. There are also a lot of LEDs that are within the range but I'm not sure what would be best. I'm fine with having a less than ideal controller if the lights themself are good. Im open to any and all suggestions.

I would also like to mention the dimensions of the tank are 48x18x21

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

You could do LED within that budget but are you willing to use budget led lights without all the bells and whistles? I know many people do and have fantastic tanks so that's not an issue! What's your expectation for the lights?

Congrats on the new tank!

 

[Rocks reef]

$800 for a 4 foot tank is going to a challenge, but doable, especially if you want to do SPS. You could look for an 8 bulb hydroponics light and put that over it rather than a "reef" T5 light which will be substantially more.

 

[Rocks reef]

You could do LED within that budget but are you willing to use budget led lights without all the bells and whistles? I know many people do and have fantastic tanks so that's not an issue! What's your expectation for the lights?

Congrats on the new tank!

I agree, he would still most likely need 3, possibly 4 budget LEDs though

 

[Schlafrig]

You could do LED within that budget but are you willing to use budget led lights without all the bells and whistles? I know many people do and have fantastic tanks so that's not an issue! What's your expectation for the lights?

Congrats on the new tank!

Im fine with having bare bones lights. I have a Nicrew on my current tank and am pretty happy with it.

 

[Schlafrig]

$800 for a 4 foot tank is going to a challenge, but doable, especially if you want to do SPS. You could look for an 8 bulb hydroponics light and put that over it rather than a "reef" T5 light which will be substantially more.

What do you think would be a more realistic price range? Is there any reason to use the reef versions ?

 

[Reign1]

Im fine with having bare bones lights. I have a Nicrew on my current tank and am pretty happy with it.

I am confused .. You are asking about keeping SPS but then talking about using basic lighting. You may want to clarify about what type of SPS you are trying to keep it if is is: Montiporas, Pocillipora, Seratapora, anacropora etc you are fine going cheap but if you are truly trying to keep a tank full of acros please try to save a little more. I think if you increas your budget by $300-400 you would be fine.

 

[Schlafrig]

I am confused .. You are asking about keeping SPS but then talking about using basic lighting. You may want to clarify about what type of SPS you are trying to keep it if is is: Montiporas, Pocillipora, Seratapora, anacropora etc you are fine going cheap but if you are truly trying to keep a tank full of acros please try to save a little more. I think if you increas your budget by $300-400 you would be fine.

I would like to keep a variety of sps and eventually acros. By being okay with basic lights I meant in terms of fancy controls and features. My only requirement is that it has enough PAR for SPS.

If I do save the additional money what lights would you recommend getting?

 

[twentyleagues]

What do you think would be a more realistic price range? Is there any reason to use the reef versions ?

The reef version might have better reflectors but over all as long as you are using reef bulbs you'll be fine.

 

[Reign1]

I would do 2 Naturas or those meridians (35 )look good and a good price point for your tank size.

 

[bubbgee]

T5s would be effective, save on the lights but pay more for electricity. $800 for lights is really tough.

 

[Schlafrig]

So if I do end up going for T5 is there anything in particular I should look for in fixtures? And is there a good resource for the types of bulbs and how to determine which ones you should get/ how many?

 

[X-37B]

I run photons and they work quite well.
Ebay has a 32 which works on a 48" tank. I have 2 used that work well and saved me considerable dollars.
Check it out!
https://ebay.us/m/tGzizs

 

[Troylee]

So if I do end up going for T5 is there anything in particular I should look for in fixtures? And is there a good resource for the types of bulbs and how to determine which ones you should get/ how many?

T5’s are hard to find in my neck of the woods “Vegas” I think you can only buy them online any more and I don’t know the stock or who still sells them. Def still around thou! I was hesitant on leds and just switched a couple months ago from metal halides myself! I’m not being biased and I have no affiliation with reef breeders but these new medians work extremely well and my full blown sps tank has taken off with them!

 

[fushi]

I think a Quanta Helix would be perfect for what your looking for, simple bare bones, great spectrum, par, and spread. And the 47" 3 Combo is cheaper than your budget so you can spend the extra $ on a 0-10v controller.

 

[Schlafrig]

I run photons and they work quite well.
Ebay has a 32 which works on a 48" tank. I have 2 used that work well and saved me considerable dollars.
Check it out!
https://ebay.us/m/tGzizs

I was looking at those, the ebay listing seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[Troylee]

I was looking at those, the ebay listing seems like a pretty good deal.

Great lights and proven! The new line is upgraded and amazing as well!

 

[X-37B]

I was looking at those, the ebay listing seems like a pretty good deal.

It is and just so you know he has 3 and just relisted. You could get it for the starting price.
My ext 170 running photon 50's is only 1 year old.

 

[twentyleagues]

For t5 ati is/was the go to. Blue+ would be your core. If you go with 8 bulb fixture I would go 4 blue +, 2 aqua blue specials, maybe a actinic and then a coral + depending on the color spectrum you want to see. As long as you have majority of blue+ you should be able to grow whatever you want. I have not run t5 in a long time there were so really great bulbs out back then but not sure whats still available. But Blue+ has always been the main go to.

 

[oreo54]

One more option...
4ft Helix bars are 80 watts each.
A rack of 3 is 240 watts over a 75..
$689.99
https://www.quanta-lights.com/products/3-pack-helix-combo