48" power compact fixtures

[maurice]

I am going to buy a 48"PC fixture today and was wondering if anyone could give me an idea which ones are better,and what bulbs you recommend putting in it?It is going on a 55g frag tank i am setting up,do you think it will be enough light for a softy frag tank?Thanks for any help and comments! :notsure:

 

[kdfrosty]

Do NOT get the Jebo light fixtures. I have one, it's garbage. I'm already looking to upgrade. You should expect to find most brands of 48" fixture delivering 260w of light (4x65w). I would recommend going with 2 10000K, and 2 Actinic bulbs, but make sure that they are operated on different switches, and preferably diffferent plugs. This way you can simulate a full day/night cycle. Some fixtures even have moonlights incorporated in them. There are a few great resources online that you can reference before you make your purchase. Check popular auction sights, and a do a search for "aquarium lighting + power compact". You'll turn up good results with that.

 

[maurice]

Thanks for the reply,i am looking at the corallife 260w with luner lights.It has three switches,and 2-10k and 2-actinic bulbs!

 

[alextrif]

I like my Coralife 48" - 260W setup. I have Zoo's, Torch, Shrooms and others in the tank.

 

[chypriss]

I have the Jebo Odyssea on my 55 and I love it, the only thing I wish I had was 3 different power cords so I can use a timer, but I has 3 switches so you have to do it manually. Im happy with spending 140 buck shipped on that item instead of spending 300+ on the same piece of equipment.
Actinics are real and it came with 4 moon lights.

 

[snipe]

I have the odyssea light also and love it. It would be enough light for a softy frag tank. With alittle DIY you can put 3 cords in it as I plan to my self I have been inside it already seeing what is going on. I got mine for $110 shipped it came with 14000K "they come with 12K now" actinics, legs, and LED.

 

[puffer32]

Love my coral life, 4x65, 210K, 2 atinics. I have several softies in my tank and they are fine.

 

[kdfrosty]

The Odyssea fixtures are good, but the older Jebo lights are still crappy!!!!

 

[vanos]

I have the 48" corallife PC on my 55G with 3 lunar lights. I paid $235 at a lfs who matched a price I saw on the internet. It gives off about 4.7 watts/gallon. Good for soft corals even though I don't own any.

 

[maurice]

Thanks for all the info!I went with the corallife 260 with 2-10k and 2-actinics,i just got it hooked up and it looks great. Then my LFS had all their corals at a price i couldn't pass up,so i guess you know i came home with a cooler full of nice corals!After they have settled in i will get some pics for everyone to see.He told me i could pick any corals i wanted for 25 bucks each!I love that price. :hilarious

 

[jen73]

I second the Jebo's, I bought some off the "famous auction site", had them about 6 months, and the ballast are corroded on one side, not working any more, and for some reason, I've had the s*it shocked out of me a few times touching it. Im looking for new ones, mine were the old jebo's too. But I'll never buy them again.

 

[vlondi]

I had the Jebo 55x4 (220w) PC fixture and had no problems with it whatsoever. It was cheap and more than got the job done. I would still use it if I had not upgraded to MH and sold the PC fixture.
I think a few people just got some lemons with Jebo; I have heard bad things about Odyssea as well (but from other sites). Jebos are, for the most part, decent fixtures to use. They don't have the higher quality of some brands but they are also much cheaper. If you are planning on using PCs for a temporary time only I would recommend Jebo whole-heartedly; if you want PC long term then I'd go a little more dependable.