Lighting options

[animalrie]

I'm looking for a light for my 50 gallon that is under $300. I am going to be keeping mostly softies and lps, but want to also be able to keep a couple of SPS and clams as well. I am not going to have a canopy and don't want something hanging from my ceiling, so a light with legs that hook to the sides of the tank is my only option. Any suggestions?

 

I found this light but couldn't really tell if it was worth it or not. Thanks to anyone who can help!

[HecticDialectics]

Add $100 to your budget and you'll be in a better price range. That sundial might work ok for lps and softies, but if you want sps and clams, you gotta pay to play.

[animalrie]

Okay, so what would you reccomend for under $400?

[reefone]

used. i picked up a used pfo dual hqi ballast and 2 mini pfo pendents all about a year old for 250$.

[animalrie]

I'm guessing the best place to look for used would be RC, right?

[HecticDialectics]

I'm guessing the best place to look for used would be RC, right?

 

 

Sorta. IMO, the best place to get used stuff is on your local reef forum. People tend to be a lot friendlier with pricing if they know it helps someone out local... no shipping costs either.

 

Otherwise, yeah, both here and RC... wherever you can find a deal.

 

Under $400, the 36" Nova extreme pro wouldn't be too bad of a fixture for you to have a mixed reef, with potential clams/sps in the upper half of the tank. Even used, I think you might have trouble finding good MH fixture for that price. If you can figure out a way to hang pendants like reefone suggests, then you'll be better off.

[bdare]

If you aren't going to have a canopy and don't want to hang anything from the ceiling I would suggest picking up an aquatinics T5 fixture. You can rest them on top of the tank and they put out TONS of light. You'll also be able to fully customize the look with all the bulb options available.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/m...ode=Aquactinics

[HecticDialectics]

If you aren't going to have a canopy and don't want to hang anything from the ceiling I would suggest picking up an aquatinics T5 fixture. You can rest them on top of the tank and they put out TONS of light. You'll also be able to fully customize the look with all the bulb options available.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/m...ode=Aquactinics

 

 

yeah but now we're talking $250 over-budget

 

 

That would be much better than the nova extreme, though.

[bdare]

You could always go with the Tec fixture... they are also used by a lot of people with good results. The downside is they don't have fans and the reflectors, although individual, are not as good as the aquatinics.

 

Ben

[animalrie]

I saw the aquacintics and it looks NICE. Maybe if I find it used I'll buy it...

 

Has anyone ever done a retro type thing in an empty pendant? I could get metal halide and everything else I want and just stuff it into the cover. Hehe. Maybe...Any ideas?

[animalrie]

Okay, I think I decided what tank I will be getting. It's a 55 gallon measuring 36" long by 18" wide by 20" tall. Any ideas on my post before??

[Longinus]

With a tank that deep and your budget I would try to find a used fixture with a 250w halide. That will let you keep most of what you want under the halide while still being in budget. I am not trying to get into the whole T5 vs halide thing, but a halide will get the job done on a shallower tank with a cheaper fixture potentially.

 

No clue how good the reflectors are on this thing, but you could do two of them and be almost in budget.

http://www.fishneedit.com/250w-metal-halide-pendant-lig.html

 

or maybe do two of the 175's, that would be in budget too. Not sure where else you can find a new fixture thats cheap, but check your local reef club for used, you can usually get great deals locally.

[bdare]

I agree. 2x175's would be pretty sweet.

[animalrie]

Would this light be suitable for this tank? Just one...

 

I'm not too sure if it would or not, but I'm still looking.

 

Or what about this one?

[bdare]

You'll have to hang that halide from the ceiling... If you want a 4 bulb T5 setup you can go with a Tec fixture for a lot less.... If you can I'd shop elsewhere... MD's prices are always a bit higher than most other places.

 

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/m...Code=SunlightT5

[animalrie]

Would a 4 bulb T5 work for what I'm wanting?

[bdare]

T5's are very effecient especially when they have individual reflectors. You'll definitely be able to keep all the softies and LPS you want. You'd also be able to keep monti and birdsnest towards the top. You'd have to check with the Grim Reefer over at Reef Central for a more definitive answer with regards to SPS.

 

Ben

[wesleytf]

T5's are very effecient especially when they have individual reflectors. You'll definitely be able to keep all the softies and LPS you want. You'd also be able to keep monti and birdsnest towards the top. You'd have to check with the Grim Reefer over at Reef Central for a more definitive answer with regards to SPS.

 

Ben

 

go with the Tek hood. For your $, T5s are wonderful. 4 T5s on a 55 G, with good reflectors and decent cooling, you can do pretty much anything.

[animalrie]

I think I'm going to go with the tek fixture and I am going to buy it new if I can't find it used within the next couple of months. So what bulbs would I want? Here is the link to the light. Thanks!

[121a]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluore...Sunlight_Supply

much better choice of bulbs also cheaper i think...

[HecticDialectics]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluore...Sunlight_Supply

much better choice of bulbs also cheaper i think...

 

 

haha definitely cheaper! that other place is taking it to you pretty hardcore with those bulb prices

[bdare]

I don't know what the price difference is from PA and Reefgeek. They are two of my favorite online stores and I buy from both of them all the time. Both have amazing customer service. Premium Aquatics will do price matching, but Reef geek DEFINITELY has better bulbs. For the combination I'd DEFINITELY get in touch with the Grim Reefer over at Reef Central. Tell him what color you want your tank and what corals you want to run. He'll hook you up!

 

Ben

 

Something to consider... With the Tec fixture you'll have to pay for legs, a splash guard and fans to keep the lights cool to get the most out of them. The aquatinics fixture comes with all that... I don't know what that does to the price, but I'd definitely look into it...

[animalrie]

Hmmm...I may have to put that into consideration, bdare. Legs are around $60, fans would be about $20, and I don't know how much a splash guard would cost...

[animalrie]

If you aren't going to have a canopy and don't want to hang anything from the ceiling I would suggest picking up an aquatinics T5 fixture. You can rest them on top of the tank and they put out TONS of light. You'll also be able to fully customize the look with all the bulb options available.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/m...ode=Aquactinics

 

I found this fixture used and I think I may be getting it. Just to make sure, I would be able to keep SPS and clams, right?

 

I don't really know how much of the two of these I would be keeping, but I really want flexibility.

 

This is the bulb combination, tell me what you think:

 

ATI Blue Plus

UVL Super Actinic

UVL Aquasun

ATI Blue Plus

ATI Aquablue

[animalrie]

Also, are any of these bulbs I mentioned what are considered 'moonlights'? If not, how will I get some moonlights in there? (Keep in mind, I'm not using a canopy.)