Is this a dumb idea?

lbannie

lbannie

Member
I have a 4 bulb T5 lighting system (39 watt each) I have quite a few corals in the tank. I bought new bulbs back in Dec. for it. They were wavepoint. I'm not super thrilled with the color of the lights. I feel like everything looks kind of washed out with all the lights on. Under actinics it looks pretty good.
Anyway, would it be dumb to add some of those flexible led strips? They are blue in color. Would this do anything? Or should I just upgrade to better bulbs? I've checked out the led stunner strips, but I don't want to spend that much money..... Any suggestions?
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
I have wavepoint lights and I am waiting for an online retailer to get ATI bulbs back in stock so I can replace my wavepoints. I know what you mean about washed out colors. I posted a comparison between online retailer photos and photos in my tank and things changed dramatically. I ordered a blue ricordea and when I put it into my tank, it was yellow. Awesome?
 
lbannie

lbannie

Member
Yeah, I have a habit of cheaping out to save money, and I'm realizing it always bites you in the butt! I think I'm going to spring for ATI bulbs soon!
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by lbannie http:///forum/thread/384403/is-this-a-dumb-idea#post_3367123
Yeah, I have a habit of cheaping out to save money, and I'm realizing it always bites you in the butt! I think I'm going to spring for ATI bulbs soon!
Well, I got the wavepoint retro kit for $150 and for the kit itself, I like it. I have only one complaint. The power switch is starting to go as I can hear it when I turn it on and off. Sometimes it just goes off for no reason and I have to fiddle with the switch to get it to come back on. For the $, wavepoints are better than most common to find lights, but they just arent ATI or Geismann.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I actually really like the WavePoint fixture, but yeah, upgrade the lighting. They're good for when you first start out, but I would not keep them long term. I really like the Wavepoint 420nm actinic bulbs, but they're 10K bulb isn't so wonderful.
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
LOL, now that we are having $ issues with the new grooming van (wife just put an oil heater through the bus doors going around a corner) the online site now has the ATI bulbs in stock. I have got to find a way to save up $85 to get the new lights.
As far as the fixture, yea the wavepoint is fine. I have no experience with others really, but it does have individual reflectors, the ballast doesnt really get hot, there isnt a wait time between turn on and lights on (when the switch works right), and it wasnt too bad on the wallet.
However, if I had to do it all over again, I would have found a 30" MH setup instead of what I got. I would then only complain about not having the guts to start with LEDs. If I ever redo the lights for the tank, it will be with LEDs. I know I cant talk the missus into getting all that is needed for the LEDs on this tank. But if I ever get a tank for the zoa garden, it will have LEDs as it will be a small tank.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I have to warn you about LED's. Just about everyone I know with legit, nice set ups is complaining that over time the LED's are bleaching their corals. A lot of people, even some on this site are switching back to MH and T5 from LED's. I think they have a lot more bugs to work out before they're really going to be any good.
Would you put a 150 or a 250 over your tank Monsinour?
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/384403/is-this-a-dumb-idea#post_3367245
I have to warn you about LED's. Just about everyone I know with legit, nice set ups is complaining that over time the LED's are bleaching their corals. A lot of people, even some on this site are switching back to MH and T5 from LED's. I think they have a lot more bugs to work out before they're really going to be any good.
Would you put a 150 or a 250 over your tank Monsinour?
Due to the wife's desire to have an anemone in the tank, i would have to say a 250. But due to the center brace as well as the hinge on the glass cover, I would probably go with something that had dual 150s with the best bulbs I could afford. I would imagine I could find a fixture that has 2x 150s on either end and a pair of T5s (24" HOs) on the front and back of the fixture. Moon lights wouldnt be a concern as I have them in the tank now.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Would two fit? I forget the dimensions of the tank. Why not two clip ons?
The Viper's are fairly inexpensive (when compared to other MH fixtures) and are pretty decent. Of course, as with most stock bulbs, the stock bulb kinda sucks, but I've used them and just replaced with a Pheonix 14K and it worked great.
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
30" long x 18" wide x 24" deep. Let me do a quick search for a fixture like I am talking about and see if I cant get a pic in here.
edit: Ideally, something like this in a 30" variety. I had no real luck finding one so a DIY of retro kits would probably be in order.
 
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