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dusty
Guest
Does anyone have any input on the new Coralife Aqualight Pro Lights? I am thinking of getting the 48" set
sailfin
Member
Originally posted by FLATZBOY
They are cheaply made and don't last long.
And you are the expert why? A little more detail please. I had one of their PC lights for a while and loved it. It is nice to have something in an all-in-one unit. From what I have read it seems that you can control which lighting is on and for how long by using timers, since all have their own plug-ins. The unit looks great, saw one at the LFS. I am curious what people have to say also.
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dusty
Guest
The reason why I am asking is because the Pro systems have the combination of HQI lights and PC actinic lights, what I have right now is a Coralife 260w of pcs on my 72 bow front and the Coralife Pro 48" comes with two 150 10K HQIs and two 96 pc actinics and three moon lights for about $700, is it a good deal? is anyone using one of this and has some input?
ericholcek
Member
i spent about half of that for the current-usa satellite. It comes with 4- 65 watt bulbs. It included 2 10,000k, 2 acitnics, 1 fan, and 2 lunar lights. I think it is 48". It is for my 55 gallon reef. I have no complaints so far.
sammiefish
Member
I really like my 48" 4x65W Coralife PC. My unit does not contain the MH or moonlights but then again it only cost ~$200.
I felt that the one that comes with moonlights was disproportionately more highly priced...
But with MH too maybe 700 isnt too bad but I think those are only 175 W...
I felt that the one that comes with moonlights was disproportionately more highly priced...
But with MH too maybe 700 isnt too bad but I think those are only 175 W...
ericholcek
Member
i paid around 215 forf the one with the moonlights.
flatzboy
Active Member
Originally posted by sailfin
And you are the expert why? A little more detail please. I had one of their PC lights for a while and loved it. It is nice to have something in an all-in-one unit. From what I have read it seems that you can control which lighting is on and for how long by using timers, since all have their own plug-ins. The unit looks great, saw one at the LFS. I am curious what people have to say also.
I never said I'm an expert but coralife's ballast way underdrive there bulbs capabilities. I wouldn't buy one of there complete hoods either because for $700 you can build your own canopy and buy 2x250 watt hqi retrofit and mount it in the canopy then get an icecap 430 ballast and run 2 vho's actinics. You should be able to do this for under $700 and canopies look nicer then some big hood hanging over the top. If you don't want metal halides then get vho's because corals just seem to like the spectrum more then power compacts. But if you do buy power compacts go with the orbit hood with moonlights.
Thanks,
Rhett
sammiefish
Member
I agree... you should be able to get all the hardware for 2x250 W MH, 2 x VHO, reflector and fans for about $500. Then build a hood to accomadate it. But, if you value your time then you could easily exceed the extra 200 savings in time spent.
I just did exactly this but I enjoyed making the hood.
BTW, I might suggest you consider the Mogul base over the HQI as you may replace your ballast at a later date with a larger one (400W)... mostly requiring mogul base bulbs...
I just did exactly this but I enjoyed making the hood.
BTW, I might suggest you consider the Mogul base over the HQI as you may replace your ballast at a later date with a larger one (400W)... mostly requiring mogul base bulbs...
flatzboy
Active Member
Originally posted by sammiefish
I agree... you should be able to get all the hardware for 2x250 W MH, 2 x VHO, reflector and fans for about $500. Then build a hood to accomadate it. But, if you value your time then you could easily exceed the extra 200 savings in time spent.
I just did exactly this but I enjoyed making the hood.
BTW, I might suggest you consider the Mogul base over the HQI as you may replace your ballast at a later date with a larger one (400W)... mostly requiring mogul base bulbs...
I enjoyed making the canopy for the 75g. and I'm building one for my 46g. bow this weekend. I'll give you a price list of the stuff I bought of ---- everything was new.
2x175 watt metal halide ballast, mogul base w/ bulbs-$209
icecap 660 ballast with endcaps-$110
4x75 watt actinic vho bulbs-$68
1 4'' fan-$30
wood from home depot- about $40
You can get a 2x250 watt metal halides from ---- for the same price.
Thanks,
Rhett
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dusty
Guest
"THANK YOU" all for the great advice. I will do more research and let you know what I decided