life changing choices . . .

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enigma1388

Guest
Ok so I was at my LFS the other day looking at lighting for my 55g. I would like the works in my tank corals hard and soft and so on. They have a 48" MH HQI for 570.00 which has moon light LEDs as well (cant remember the brand). is this a good deal or can i find something similar for a lower price?
 
sly

sly

Active Member
I bought a 6 bulb T5 light set with moon lights for $200. I would say you could do better.
 
lexluethar

lexluethar

Active Member
Found a Sunpod system with 150 watt Halides for 500. I would say you are within the right price range if it is a good brand name and they are 150 watt bulbs.
 
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enigma1388

Guest
SUNPOD! thats the brand in my LFS.
and I don't like the T5 lighting it seems a bit iffy to me. it almost seems like some people have no problem with it and others have tons of problems.
 
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enigma1388

Guest
ok so earlier today i checked the website of a company that will remain nameless . . . and they sell sunpod lights and the same light system i was looking at in my LFS is almost 100 dollars cheaper if i order it online! i think the internet is the way to go for me
 
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tizzo

Guest
Well don't forget you gotta pay for shipping too.
Internet is usually cheaper anyway, but maybe if you go to your LFS and tell them you are getting ready to order it online for such and such a price...unless they wanna price match.
Maybe??
 
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enigma1388

Guest
"free shipping" is my best friend
as long as the order is over 150 dollars and well this is over by a few hundred lol
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
there are 2 main problems people are having with t-5's
1 they do not have individual reflectors and loose alot of the light through disapation.
2 The do not have HO t-5 lighting they on have regular t-5 which are no where near enough light for a reef tank.
IF you get a t-5 HO individual reflector setup you will be fine. I have seen small tanks to larger 125 gallon tanks and even frag tanks setup with the proper t-5 lighting system that flourished. on the other hand I have seen a tank with normal t-5 output lighting that wasnt up to par on the lighting.
Mike
 
the egregious

the egregious

Member
My 125 reef is on Nova Extreme Pro, with every other having a reflector on it. I love it. My corals do great and the system is thriving. On the other hand, I like halides to. lolol
 
casper1875

casper1875

Member
Nova Extreme Pro T5HO systems. Each fixture includes individually contoured reflectors to ensure the maximum amount of lighting intensity reaches your tank. The sleek, low-profile design actually dissipates heat away from your aquarium. Cool running performance ballasts and internal fans keep things cool and efficient, while independent lighting controls are included to operate the full complement of T5HO 10,000K & 460nm bulbs in a day/night cycle. Each system also includes a splash lends and docking mounts.
 
lexluethar

lexluethar

Active Member
Originally Posted by enigma1388
http:///forum/post/2579081
"free shipping" is my best friend
as long as the order is over 150 dollars and well this is over by a few hundred lol
You are still going to pay for shipping within the price of the unit. Your LFS has more overhead per unit than an online store, so the unit price is cheaper at the online store. So the online store can add the shipping costs to the unit and still be cheaper than the LFS.
Sorry just had to put that in.
 
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enigma1388

Guest
its ok i understand that, but for the same unit i'm going to go with the less costly one. I will see if my LFS will honor online pricing though.
 
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enigma1388

Guest
also i have a 55 gal. set up which i want to make a nice reef set up. the lights i'm looking at are MH 2x150. would these be ok or should i go with the 2x250 watts?
 
niskyvaulter

niskyvaulter

Member
btw, I just ordered a 2x150 sunpod for my 55g tank yesterday (for $450 at a website i cant mention). Im so excited now that i heard all the great reviews. I think that 300 hqi is fine for anything in a 55g, but im not an expert. I dont think you need 500 watts hqi.
 
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