JulieR Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I'm thinking about upgrading the lighting on my 20long. It currently has this fixture (coralife aqualight CF 2x65w). I don't like how clunky the fixture is, I can't open the glass lid of the tank without removing the whole light. I've read some things about PC lighting dulling/browning out the colors for zoas, among other things. Some of the stuff in my tank is already becoming dull and brownish. Not everything though. My tank houses a few LPS, mushrooms/ricordea, and zoas/palys. I really like the idea of having lots of options for types of bulbs and color. I'm looking at this fixture. (Coralife Lunar Aqualight T5HO)However, I do have an empty 40B in storage right now and it may eventually be used to upgrade my 20L. With that in mind, would it be worthwhile to go ahead and order a 36" fixture rather than a 30" fixture? Especially since the legs are adjustable. There's this same fixture on Amazon that's cheaper than even the 30" on HelloLights. It comes with 2 10,000K and 2 actinic bulbs. Is that a good fixture, bulbs? Good deal? Would it be appropriate for my tank? Is there anywhere to find it cheaper? Link to comment
hooligan_78 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Stock bulbs are okay to start, but I recommend upgrading them as soon as time, or money permits. If you are planning on the 40b, why not just get the bigger lights? I used ATI bulbs in my T5. Link to comment
lakshwadeep Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Coralife is pretty low end when it comes to T5s, especially concerning the reflectors. Bulbs are the easiest to switch (assuming you have a common length fixture), with reflectors being a more longterm investment. You might try a fishneedit/odyssea fixture or spend a little more and get a TEK or retrofit. Retrofits from reefgeek offer the best value in terms of high quality bulbs and reflectors. If you want a really high end fixture, then ATI or Giesemann would be good; the ATI sunpower is another good value. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluore..._Retrofit_Kits/ Link to comment
JulieR Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Thanks for the input! Budget is pretty tight, so I compared the fishneedit and odyssea fixtures. Of the two, I'm leaning towards fishneedit (http://www.fishneedit.com/3ft4bulbs-with-l34.html). I can't do fixtures that have legs like these where they tighten around the inside of the frame. I need to keep a top on the tank (I use a glass versa-top) because my cats love walking around it/sitting on the light. Ugh. If that fishneedit fixture is a good one, then that'd be great. It's ~$100 cheaper than the coralife one and I could use that saved money on upgrading bulbs. I'll be looking at ATI bulbs Link to comment
Bishop Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I would highly recommend skipping the whole t5 idea and go with LED. Everything in your tank would be fine under 2x par 30 LED's. That's what I have on my 20L and I have a maxi-mini, Frogspawn, acan, xenia, zoas as well as some other crap. 3x par30 bulbs is best though but I'm gonna make me a custom hood and lighting. Making your own is gonna be the best value. The first time you replace those t5 bulbs, you will have spent more on the t5 than you would 3x par30's with goosenecks. LED is just a better looking light also. I started with t5, then 150w halides, then par 30bulbs. Love the halides and love the LED's. Hate t5 though. Link to comment
JulieR Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 I would highly recommend skipping the whole t5 idea and go with LED. Everything in your tank would be fine under 2x par 30 LED's. That's what I have on my 20L and I have a maxi-mini, Frogspawn, acan, xenia, zoas as well as some other crap. 3x par30 bulbs is best though but I'm gonna make me a custom hood and lighting. Making your own is gonna be the best value. The first time you replace those t5 bulbs, you will have spent more on the t5 than you would 3x par30's with goosenecks. LED is just a better looking light also. I started with t5, then 150w halides, then par 30bulbs. Love the halides and love the LED's. Hate t5 though. LEDs confuse me Particularly the DIY kits. Any engineering blood in my family went to my brother, not me. LEDs aren't out of the question though, I'm just hoping to get something that's fairly plug-n-play. I did read some more threads here in the lighting section and ended up finding this: http://www.boostled.com/collections/par30-...with-lamp-clamp Is that the sort of thing you're talking about? Two of those? Link to comment
Bishop Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 LEDs confuse me Particularly the DIY kits. Any engineering blood in my family went to my brother, not me. LEDs aren't out of the question though, I'm just hoping to get something that's fairly plug-n-play. I did read some more threads here in the lighting section and ended up finding this: http://www.boostled.com/collections/par30-...with-lamp-clampIs that the sort of thing you're talking about? Two of those? yes par30 bulbs from boostled is what i use. Link to comment
JulieR Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 Read around some more, watched some videos on youtube, and now I'm sold on Par30s. I'm excited now. I can't wait for my coral colors to pop. So 2 Par30s would be perfectly acceptable for a 20long? Some things I read give me the feeling that 2 would be a little on the low side, especially at the far edges of the tank. Then other things I read give me the feeling that these are really strong lights and 2 bulbs would be plenty. Any suggestions for acclimation when I get them? I don't want to shock anything in the tank. I really like the fact that you can use gooseneck fixtures and adjust the distance from the tank. I'm thinking of getting this combo: 2 royal blues, 1 blue, 1 cool white, 1 neutral white. Link to comment
Criley7 Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Go with the longer T5s and definitely upgrade the bulbs when you get a chance. I did and I definitely don't regret it one bit. Link to comment
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