cheap lighting alternatives...

[swingsett]

okay not really cheap, but e*bay atleast.
i have a 20 long im starting, and i just want to keep some simple corals, anenomes, and the like. im looking at a 65w power compact. have any of you seen all the lights they have? theyre fairly affordable.
imo this should work wondrous, right?

 

[scottallert]

Originally Posted by swingsett
http:///forum/post/2795172
okay not really cheap, but e*bay atleast.
i have a 20 long im starting, and i just want to keep some simple corals, anenomes, and the like. im looking at a 65w power compact. have any of you seen all the lights they have? theyre fairly affordable.
imo this should work wondrous, right?
yeah that would be good more then 3 watts per gallon

 

[fatcat]

Stay away from power compacts go with T-5HO.
With PC they may be cheaper now but to keep there intensity you have to change them every 8 month's or so and there not cheap bulbs.
PC's are no where near as strong as T-5's and T-5 bulbs last 12months and are cheaper.
I'd go with 2 24inch T-5's overdriven with 39watt icecap ballast.
Make sure the T-5's are HO(high output) and have individual reflectors.
Check out the: 36" TEK 2 T5 Retro Kit 2 x 39W lamps by Sunlight Supply
but get 24inch bulbs instead of the 36inch bulbs.

 

[errattiq]

Power compact = good for soft corals , bad for anemones. Anemones require far stronger lighting that power compacts... If you want to stay cheap and use this light, stick to soft corals and some LPS corals... If you go the anemone or SPS coral route you'll be wasting $$ and just gaining frustration, it won't work....

 

[fatcat]

But with PC they'll be wasting money anyways with bulb replacements.

 

[gatorwpb]

Originally Posted by errattiq
http:///forum/post/2796014
Power compact = good for soft corals , bad for anemones. Anemones require far stronger lighting that power compacts... If you want to stay cheap and use this light, stick to soft corals and some LPS corals... If you go the anemone or SPS coral route you'll be wasting $$ and just gaining frustration, it won't work....
+1
Anemone needs strong lighting.

 

[swingsett]

ok, well what about t5ho? im not too picky about corals i keep in the tank, and im sure there are some nice corals to e had with normal t5ho light yea?

 

[fatcat]

what do you mean by "normal" T5HO light?
Always remember in this hobby if you buy cheap you buy twice.
I learn that the hard way with my skimmer.

 

[mr_x]

you can go cheaply, by purchasing a used fixture from someone getting out of the hobby. i find alot of great deals in the f/s section.

 

[ds450x]

You might want to looking into t5's from catalina. They have a website and they sell them cheaper on *e*b*a*y*. I got a retofit 6x54 t5 on my 75 gallon tank and its great. Saved me a couple hundred and works with no problems.