Question about lighting for custom tank

[xcali1985]

My tank dimensions are 20x48x19 so this will fit perfect im just guessing if its a good lighting for my tank.
Price: $349.00

Odyssea 48" Metal Halide ADV+ CF 760W
This MH ADV+ CF 48” is THE reefer’s light. A space saving combo unit combines 2x 250W HQI metal halide, 4x 65W Actinic Blue CF lamps, and 6x Bluemoon LED into one single unit. This unit also features external HQI controller, heavy duty cooling fan, mounting legs, and anodized aluminum housing. Individual power cords and power switches maximizes usability and timer ready!
Features:
* Dimensions - 47.50” x 15.00” x 3.00”
* Dimensions w/brackets - 48.00” x 18.00” x 6.25”
* Supports 2x 250W HQI FC2 lamps
* Supports 4x 65W power compact lamps
* Supports 6x dual Bluemoon LED
* Individual power cords for each function
* External HQI controllers
* Internal power compact ballasts
* Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
* Heavy duty cooling fan
* Tempered glass splash guard
* Mounting legs
* Straight pin sockets
* Double Ended FC2 HQI sockets
* Highly polished reflector
* CE Certified
Listing includes:
* 1x MH/CF fixture and all ballasts
* 1x Mounting Bracket (Free Item)
* 2x MH 250W 15000K (Free Item)
* 4x 65W CF Actinic Blue (Free Item)
* 6x Dual LED (Free Item)

 

[jackri]

Wow... price sounds really cheap -- not sure what people think of the Odyssa or if they've had problems.
Now quality issues aside, probably a great lighting set up... but I would go with t-5's supplementing the halides over Power compacts any day. Not a fan of them -- their useful light fades a lot faster than t-5s and more expensive to replace. Now.. your lighting will be mostly from the halides so that may not be an issue.
All that being said... I paid about 800 for my 716w of lighting -- 2 250w halides, 4 - 54w t-5's and 8 moonlights.

 

[xcali1985]

Thanks, what do you use, and what are your dimensions for it.
Price isn't really the issue here as I want to get the right lighting to support healthy coral growth.

 

[jackri]

I have the 48" Outer Orbit/Current USA? can't find it now on the doc's site -- probably in their catalog though.
Same dimensions as the one you're looking at. I seem to remember they ran a sale on the one I got at the time but I haven't had any problems with it in the last year and a half.
I did replace the 10k halide bulbs with 14k phoenix bulbs. Not so yellow and has a more white/blue crisp look to it.
Color difference is amazing and if you're interested can be viewed at:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/347418/jackris-90g-reef

 

[xcali1985]

I found that one for about 550$ ill see who else responds, by the way your tank looks great and if I can be close to that I would be happy. How long has it been up and running.

 

[jackri]

Ummm... about 2 years but was a transferred from a 72g bowfront that was up for about 2 years before that.
I've had the "new" lighting since about april 08 -- before that I had power compact lighting.. I should dig out those pictures sometime and post the crossover pictures -- man what a mess I had going on as I did the best I could to save all the water lol.

 

[bulldog123]

Fire Hazard. Everything I have seen about it. Not to mention junk. I dont personally know just what other have said. I would recommend sunlightsupply, current usa, giesemann or if you want to spend bigger bucks look at AquaPerfekt.

 

[xcali1985]

Should I go with straight T5?
Nova Extreme Pro looks like a good unit. Will T5 support Most Corals?

 

[bulldog123]

IMO there is no replacement for MH. But t-5s with individual reflecters are a very good light. Maybe the sunlightsuppy(tek-5) 6 bulbs light would be able to keep anything you wanted. Even sps. JMO

 

[jackri]

T-5's do just fine on their own as well. I like the intensity and color halides provide but nothing wrong with t-5's depending on how deep the light has to penetrate.

 

[xcali1985]

Thanks guys, looks like ill be going with straight MH, no since on spending so much money and then cutting corners on possibly the most essential part.