Opinions on Custom Sealife PCs ?

[saltyrich]

I'm looking at a Custom Sealife PC retro kit for a 20 gallon. It is a 2 x 65w setup. The tank is up and running with about 30lbs of lr and 40lbs of ls. I'd like to keep some softies and inverts in this tank. What do you guys think? Any opinions on the quality of this retro kit?

 

[saltyrich]

The kit has a 10K bulb and an Ultra-actinic with it.

 

[saltyrich]

bump

 

[richard rendos]

I never had the 2 X 65 watt retro but the 2 X 55 watt retro had no problems. I used one for about 2 years on a 29 gallon tank. I sold it to a local guy about 1 1/2 years ago and other than replacing bulbs, he is still using it with no problems.

 

[fishfreek]

I've had my CSL 96w smartlite retro for about a year. I had a problem with the bulb burning out after only 6 months. I called CSL and they gladly sent me a replacement bulb a week later. Other than that, i have nothing to complain about. It does run a bit hot, but i think most PCs do. Where are you getting yours from? Shop arond for these if you go with them, i got mine on line for $86 + shipping, complete w/ bulb & reflector. HTH

 

[nm reef]

For what its worth I've been running 4x65 watts of CSL 10k lamps for close to 2 years now...I've been extremely pleased with them. I change the bulbs every 12 months and other than that they are maintenance free. Quality construction and a very versitile compact design....easy to fit into smaller spaces...just a good product in my opinion.

 

[frankl15207]

I had half of a 2x65 ballast fail about 1 month after purchase. CSL replaced it with no problem. I have a 2x32 retrofit on a 10 gallon nano that has run fine for months and a 1x96 as supplemental early am late pm light on my 75 with no problems.
My 2x32 kit originally came with the same bulbs. They were replaced with a 50/50 and a 6700k white. On the smaller (10) tank, the actinic looked washed out and the 10k was too bright. I'm not sure how that combination will look on a 20, but keep it in mind if you don't like the light effect.

 

[jonthefb]

salty i have that exact same setup on my 20 gallon and i friggin love it! i have a 10k daylight bulb and a super actinic bulb over my 20 and get tons of good light, plus i have a 6 inch sandbed that brigns all of my stuff even closer to the light. i am planning on supplementing it with some littel 13 watt compact flourescents that i am building from scratch, bu ti keep a clam and even an encrusting montipora under those lights and both are thriving!
good luck
jon

 

[danrw84]

ive got the custom sea life 2x65 and they work great. on my 29 gal

 

[jlem]

I believe that the 2-65 watt is the same kit as the 2-55 watt just newer bulbs. I originaly bought the 4-55 watt retros and when I replaced the bulbs Custom sealife reccomended the 65 watt bulbs.