Choose my Light (no $ limit)!

[ray j neal]

Well, I have a limit, but my limit is high enough to properly light a full blown reef. Tank is a standard size 150, fowlr. I have around 260 watts or so with old bulbs. Wattage is a guess since both 36" fixtures where acquired with the tank over a year ago. My goal is to have a VERY bright tank so as to accent all the different colors of fish. I have looked in to various units, all the way up to 800 watts. They run between $600-800. Is this overkill. Is there a more cost efficient way where I will still be satisfied by light intensity?

 

[nissan577]

how long is your tank? and how many watts are you looking for?

 

[maxalmon]

Personally I only use Coralife Aqualight Pro fixtures, I have several of them and my tanks always look awesome with the combination of 250w MH and actinics, plus they have remote ballast which greatly helps remove radiant heat from the tank. They are a little more expensive, but well made and the one time I had a problem, they swapped out the fixture no problems asked. The MH bulbs that come with the units are junk and I replace them with phoenix bulbs after they need the 1st change.

 

[whyamisofl]

If you don't want to go the MH way, Aquactinics is an AWESOME T5 company

 

[phils29bcinwa]

Originally Posted by Ray J Neal
http:///forum/post/2775934
Well, I have a limit, but my limit is high enough to properly light a full blown reef. Tank is a standard size 150, fowlr. I have around 260 watts or so with old bulbs. Wattage is a guess since both 36" fixtures where acquired with the tank over a year ago. My goal is to have a VERY bright tank so as to accent all the different colors of fish. I have looked in to various units, all the way up to 800 watts. They run between $600-800. Is this overkill. Is there a more cost efficient way where I will still be satisfied by light intensity?

If money is no problem, you have to look at the solaris led lighting systems, they will do anything and everything that you want.

 

[ray j neal]

Tank is 72" long. Someone direct me to my destiny!

 

[ray j neal]

Anyone know about the Current Nova Extreme Pro Saltwater T-5. Total of 468w. Thats a little more than 3w/1gal. Would this make my tank 'glow' like I want?

 

[reefman1223]

If your limit is high go with the salaries led its $2800.00

 

[ilovemytank]

If money has no limit then go with the solaris LED system. And I would like one of the same size as a consulting fee, please....

 

[aquaknight]

72" Giesemann Infiniti system.
I would just use a 150watt x3 MH setup and run 20k bulbs. You get the sparkle of MH over the water that's impossible to recreate.

 

[wangotango]

Even if you don't have a budget don't blow your money on a Solaris. Some people have had luck with them but the majority end up ditching them to go back to halides or T5ho. IMO they're not worth what they cost, and they don't measure up to what they're supposed to.
If you're looking for T5 check out the ATI Powermodules or the Aquactinics Constellation. The Nova Pro isn't crap, but it is not as powerful as the ATI or Aquactinics. If you have a canopy then an Icecap retro is probably the best bet.
For halides three 250w bulbs would work. You could spring for 400watters too if you wanted. The Luminarc III reflectors are about as good as it gets.
Hope that helps.
-Justin

 

[ray j neal]

Well, I did say no limit but I have yet to see a setup recommended under 2,000

. So let me rephrase that...choose my lighting no limit (as long as around 800-900)

 

[maxalmon]

Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2776838
For halides three 250w bulbs would work. You could spring for 400watters too if you wanted. The Luminarc III reflectors are about as good as it gets.
Hope that helps.
-Justin
Hey Justin, I can't remember where I read this or If I'm even remembering it correctly. Wasn't there a study posted somewhere about 250MH vs 400MH and that the benefits of going to 400's was almost trivial over 250's? You seem to be well versed in lighting and wondered if you have ever come across this topic?

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by Ray J Neal
http:///forum/post/2776859
Well, I did say no limit but I have yet to see a setup recommended under 2,000

. So let me rephrase that...choose my lighting no limit (as long as around 800-900)

You want lighting for a reef, but you have a FOWLR. Are you planning on converting to a reef? If you're sticking with FOWLR then you really don't need to spend much. A set of 150w halides will give you a nice shimmer and won't use too much juice.
If you are planning on going reef then a lot of the suggestions given will work. If it were my tank I'd go with either the halides or T5ho.
-Justin

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by maxalmon
http:///forum/post/2776883
Hey Justin, I can't remember where I read this or If I'm even remembering it correctly. Wasn't there a study posted somewhere about 250MH vs 400MH and that the benefits of going to 400's was almost trivial over 250's? You seem to be well versed in lighting and wondered if you have ever come across this topic?
Lol, I don't know how well versed but I remember reading something on -- about this. It seems like more people use 250w than 400w bulbs, and it seems like there's a better selection of 250s.
Maybe it's just because bulbs, ballasts, and reflectors have gotten so much better than you don't always need a more powerful bulb. Like if you use a 250w Ushio bulb on a good electronic ballast under a Lumenbright reflector you can get really good PAR comparable to an ok 400w bulb on a crappy reflector

.
Regardless if you have a really deep tank then even a 250w on a good reflector won't get you as far as the 400w.
-Justin

 

[ray j neal]

I do not plan on going reef. I want ample lighting that will penetrate the whole water column and really make my tank 'glow'.

 

[ray j neal]

Are the ~600 sleezbay MH or t5HO 72" no-name fixtures worth a look? As with anything in life, you get what you pay for. I am a bit leery about them.

 

[aquaknight]

Not sure where your located, but definitely keep an eye out on the classifieds. The resale on lighting equipment is usually very low. You then can buy fresh bulbs, and theoritically have a 'new' fixture for cheaper. Sometimes on sleezebay someone will sell used equipment as well vs. those no name fixtures (which usually are okay, just the bulbs are crappy).
The average person might be a bit overwhelmed shipping a 72" fixture though. And could be pricey

 

[ray j neal]

Yea, it appears I have a lot more options if I were to get two 36" fixtures rather than one 72". I am overwhelmed with the options and do not want to be disappointed with the way it looks once set up. I really want something that will just make my tank 'glow' with light.

 

[ray j neal]

Well, based on price I have decided I want t5 HO in the 600-800 range, prefereably somewhere near 700. I DO NOT want a sleezbay item as come tofind out they are not UL rated, and I really enjoy having a roof over my head when I go to sleep. I am finding that a lot of the exceptional units are not made in 72" If I where to hang a 48" unit above the tank, would I have pretty even lighting from end to end? I want to make a purchase quite soon here, but need advice. I have two junk coralife 36" lights with two 21w t5's each fixture, and a 65w 50/50pc. I want nice lighting quick. Thanks for the help everyone.