Need opinion on lighting choices

[saltsac]

I am trying to decide between the 48" Current USA Orbit 4x96 and the Coralife Lunar Aqualight 4x96. I was hoping I could get some help here as to which would be the better choice, I have gotten alot of info and opinions on both of these lights but wanted to see what everyone here has to say. Thanks for the help...:notsure:

 

[golfish]

I have never used either of those fixtures but I have used a few of the Coralife products. IMO, everything they put their name on is junk.

 

[reefraff]

I had the current 4x65 48" setup when they were still CSL. Decent lights for PC but the cooling fan was a little loud.

 

[robchuck]

I had ballast problems when I ran Coralife PCs, but ESU was quick to resolve the problem each time.

 

[tizzo]

I Have owned a coralife 4- 65w bulbs, and it didn't sustain my bta. I called a light expert friend of mine and he said that he once had the chance to disassemble a Coralife hood and the ballasts that they use are junk. He said that the actual bulb was capable of emitting much more light than the ballast had allowed. He advised me to remove and replace the ballasts with a better one (he gave me a name brand, but of course I forgot).
With that in mind, I would not buy or recommend a Coralife hood for anyone!!

 

[ireven]

so.. Tizzo!
which brand is better for replace the Coralife PC bulbs? i am using 2x65W 50/50.
thanks

 

[audisteve]

Have you every looked into T-5 lighting? I love the setup on mine. T-5's produce twice the lux than what PC's produce. That means that the light penetrates more into the tank.