Please recommend affordable lighting solutions to go reef

jc74

jc74

Member
I've been out of the loop for a while. I'm not sure what new technology we have out there.
Right now I have four 65 watt CF's on a 75 gallon tank. I have all kinds of plants sprouting up on the tops of the live rock, but I doubt this would be enough to sustain most corals or scallops.
I'm looking for something energy efficient and affordable (under $500 if possible) that would allow me to have almost any type of plant or coral I want. It's a 75g, 48" long tank.
Right now I have two percula clowns, a spotted boxfish, ten turbos, a queen conch, 7 emerald crabs, 10 small hermits, and a coral banded shrimp. I'm looking to get some anenomes for my clowns and a few corals eventually.
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
look at the t-5 8x54watts fixture. its on sale for $400. normally runs for $500. runs cool and no need for a chiller.
 
jc74

jc74

Member
And are t5's much more powerful than compact flourescents, as in they'll reach further to the bottom of the tank?
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
this site doesnt allow me to post the site. its a very big per web site. type in nova extreme t5 under google.
 
pondy

pondy

Member
T-5's are really one of the better lights out there. I know people will argue with me but I think that metal Halides and T-5's run hand in hand. They both have there good things and bad, but I like them both equally and from my experience everything seems to do very good with both lighting options. Right now I hve a 75 gallon with 6 T-5's over it and I currently keep clams on the sand, sps on the sand, and everything is growing really nicely. So to answer your question about T-5's and power compacts, T-5's are much better and penetrate deeper adn they dont heat up near as much.
 
cpbirds407

cpbirds407

Member
Go used. Try your local newspaper or

[hr]
sites. :) I run metal hilides on my 75 pictured besides my screen name. They were used when I bouht them and I paid less than 1/2 the price. All you need to watch is how old are the bulbs. You could replace the bulbs with new ones and still pay way lower than new ones. But I would reccomend that you test them before you buy them if you can or if you can't, get a written warranty just to make sure the ballast works well.
...Just a thought.
 
rykna

rykna

Active Member
Originally Posted by cpbirds407
Go used. Try your local newspaper or

[hr]
sites. :) I run metal hilides on my 75 pictured besides my screen name. They were used when I bouht them and I paid less than 1/2 the price. All you need to watch is how old are the bulbs. You could replace the bulbs with new ones and still pay way lower than new ones. But I would reccomend that you test them before you buy them if you can or if you can't, get a written warranty just to make sure the ballast works well.
...Just a thought.
Good point, my LFS sells lots of used equipment.
 
pondy

pondy

Member
go used, my T-5's are retail $500 dollars and I bought them used of $200. Not bad considering all the bulbs were new and all I had to do was plug and play
 
jc74

jc74

Member
Originally Posted by nycbob
this site doesnt allow me to post the site. its a very big per web site. type in nova extreme t5 under google.
I tried that and didn't find the $400 lights you were talking about.
I guess I paid too much then.

I don't see why this site won't allow such links if it doesn't carry the product. There's no competition in that case so there shouldn't be anything to worry about. Am I right? It would just be two hobbyists working together.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
take a look for either TEK or Aquatinics T5 fixtures. Either one will be under $500. The main thing with T5 lighting is to get a fixture with individual reflectors for each bulb, which both of these brands have. The Novas do not.
 
meleerock

meleerock

Member
Originally Posted by jc74
I tried that and didn't find the $400 lights you were talking about.
I guess I paid too much then.

I don't see why this site won't allow such links if it doesn't carry the product. There's no competition in that case so there shouldn't be anything to worry about. Am I right? It would just be two hobbyists working together.
SWF does sell light fixtures, maybe not that exact kind, but still aquarium lights. For providing this great source of information they ask that no competetors sites be posted for obvious reason
Anyway, try to find a reefers club that is local to you. Chances are you will be able to find a decent fixture at a reasonable price. Like already stated make sure to find out how old the bulbs are... most need replacing every 6 to 10 months. You can also check your local craigslist online for good deals. I would recommend T-5s or Metal Halides.
 
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