125 gallon lighting

[mynameisnobody]

Hello everyone, I am picking up a 125 gallon this weekend. Question is, what lighting should I use. If the coop made a 72” then it would be a no brainer. I could add 2 36” lights, but I hate the idea of them resting on the glass. Would that make them crooked or slightly slanted? If so, then it will probably drive me nuts. I’ve owned the beamswork 72” but it wasn’t a very good light. Very subpar in every way. 
As for the stock, it will be planted with a ton of Java fern so it doesn’t have to be super high end. 
As for livestock, it’ll house:

8 Denison Barbs

1 Gold Denison Barb

4 Blue Pinoy Paraiba Angelfish

7 Geophagus Pyrocephalus

1 Albino Geophagus Pyrocephalus

10 Congo Tetra

Long Fin Green Dragon Bristlenose Pleco

[TheSwissAquarist]

Maybe add a wooden strut in the middle for 2 36 inchers to clip onto? 
Try running that stock list through aquadvisor.com to see if there are any problems.

Enjoy your tank and keep us updated! 

[mynameisnobody]

@TheSwissAquarist The wooden slat is an idea, but I’m looking for a much more clean look. I’m probably going to have to go with some sort of hanging light. I am not concerned about the stock levels. Aqua advisor is a guide at best. There are too many factors that aquaadvisor just doesn’t take into consideration. To be honest, it’s probably been 7-8 years since I’ve been on that site. Thank you

[TheSwissAquarist]

On 1/10/2023 at 5:32 PM, Mynameisnobody said:

There are too many factors that aquaadvisor just doesn’t take into consideration.

I know what you mean, it’s one use to me is knowing my bio load and making sure that my dream fish wouldn’t kill each other.😂

[mynameisnobody]

@TheSwissAquarist totally understood. If you can’t factor in plants, then it’s mathematically inaccurate no matter how you dice it, so it doesn’t give me much peace of mind. In my experience, if you’re on top of your water maintenance and pay close attention to your fish, the likelihood of something going wrong reduces dramatically. And if it doesn’t, this is all one giant experiment. Thank you dude, your input is appreciated

[TheSwissAquarist]

Have you thought about some plant or hydroponic lights? 

[mynameisnobody]

@TheSwissAquarist I don’t know much about other types of lighting, it’s never been my strong point. I’m guessing you can hang those off the wall or ceiling? 

[TheSwissAquarist]

On 1/10/2023 at 5:59 PM, Mynameisnobody said:

I’m guessing you can hang those off the wall or ceiling? 

Yep. I expect you can find a decent amount of stuff on it online.

[mynameisnobody]

@TheSwissAquarist I literally just received my 36” coop light for a 40B I have. I am highly impressed with this light. I can butt 2 36” together for a 6’ light. They really have thought of everything. 

[Rube_Goldfish]

I think hanging lights might be the way to go. Especially with low light plants like Java fern, you wouldn't even need a light bar or light strip. You can hang two or three fairly cheap, bright LED shop lights. See the 1:36 mark of this MD Fishtanks build video to see what I mean:

 

[mynameisnobody]

@Rube_Goldfish You are the coolest person of my week. Thank you, I love MD

[TheBlueBeetle]

I'm running 2 36" co-op lights on my 125, works great!. Sitting on the glass is fine, since they are close to the middle strut. And, they aren't over the top heavy.

No noticeable slant with one end on the lip and the other on the glass. ( i was worried about this too since I had to modify my old finnex lights to avoid this.) The "legs" are very short, which also keeps the light shining into the tank and not blinding me on the outside of it!

Edited January 11, 2023 by TheBlueBeetle

[mynameisnobody]

@TheBlueBeetle You just validated what I was thinking. I just placed my order for a second 36” light. Thank you 

[mynameisnobody]

I picked up a 180 gallon instead. Delivery is this Wednesday. Lighting still remains the same, I went with 2 36” Coop LED’s.