65gallon

So I recently picked up a 125 gallon tank (6ft long) which i plan to keep 2 osars and 2 jack dempseys. I am in the process of making a DIY canopy and I have been searching for a week about what lighting to use and how many watts i would need. I figure i need anywhere from 1 to 1.5 watts per gallon since im going non planted. the lights will basically only be to keep the tank nice and bright for when others or i want to watch my fish. On my 55 gallon i use the strip light it came with which is only 32 watts and it seems to light the tank pretty good but the light goes the complete length of the tank. i am thinking about with going with two 24 inch or two 30 inch fixtures in the 125 gallon but im wondering if since its not going to be the entire lenght of the tank would that be good enough or would it leave some dark spots? I also leave my tank on from 7:30am t o7:30pm and i dont want it to be overkill.

I also will not be using a glass canopy

some lights i have been looking at

2x http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...esingle30strip

1x http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...plight2x65watt

2x http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...ght3055wattoak

1x http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=3060839

if anybody has any reccomendations it would be greatly appreciated as I am fairly new to the hobby. links would be great tooooo

morganrules

all i can say is whichever light provides the most. also sorry for not being a big help im getting back into this hobby. im still learning

FishFolk

wow- I am impressed. Building your own canopy!

I'm working on lighting too - but pre-built and in a planted tank. From what I've read ( I read both planted and not as I have a non-planted cichlid too), the lighting in a non planted FW is usually for you . The fish don't care. It sounds like you knew that though I may be wrong but it seems that if fish naturally dwell in the caves and rocks, they would naturally receive less light.

I didn't follow your links to see which lights you want, but watch the heat output if you are looking at higher output lights.

With lights not over the entire tank, you will surely end up with some shadows. Why not move the light on your 55 to the 125 to get an idea of what type coverage you will have? - Just for a couple minutes - I know you are looking at stronger bulbs but a 48 inch should give you a feel for where shadows may fall. Also take into account what type of artifacts/rock structures you will have as they will affect where the light reaches.

Good luck!

65gallon

i think i have made up my mind!!!! im going with
2x http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...esingle30strip

that would give me 130 watts under my canopy for my 125 gallon cichlid tank.

If anyone thinks this is a bad decision please let me know withing the next 2 hours as that is when i plan on placing my order