thinking of buying new lights...

speg

speg

Active Member
I got my 46 gallon tank back and my old power compact fixture too.. the bulbs need replaced and it'll cost me anywhere from 60-100 dollars to replace just two bulbs.
I was also looking into T5 systems and think I could just double what it would cost for bulbs and get a decent NEW fixture.. what do you guys think? I plan on using this as a frag tank.. I have zero experience with T5... would it hold up to power compacts in a reef system? Will my electric bill honestly be lower?
 
fangelillo01

fangelillo01

Member
I would deff go with the T-5 fixture over your older unit especially if you are planning to go corals. I upgraded to a T-5 unit with actinics and it made a HUGE diffrence in the way my corals acted. My frogspawn got HUGE
 
speg

speg

Active Member
mmm well.. like I mentioned, it'll cost me around 80 for two 96 watt pc bulbs.. I'd like to spend in the 200 area.
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
going with t5 would save a little $$ electricity wise. if u r going from from 2x96w pc to 4x36w t5, u r talking about a difference of about 50 watts. with 4 t5 bulbs though, u wll get much better growth and ur choice of corals would expand vastly. a good t5 fixture is one with individual refectors. personally, i'd go with a better fixture to begin with. $200 will get u an ok t5 fixture, unless u go with diy reto fit t5.
 
nikesb

nikesb

Active Member
forget the difference of 50 watts, going from pc's to t5 is increasing par by close to 300%. u wont regret going t5. and joe is right, if you can, best to spend the extra now and get a good quality fixture
 
speg

speg

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3266563
what are the dimensions of your tank and can you go $300
it's a bowfront... not sure of all the exact dimensions of a 46 gallon bowfront.. just know I need a 36" light.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Speg
http:///forum/post/3266611
it's a bowfront... not sure of all the exact dimensions of a 46 gallon bowfront.. just know I need a 36" light.
check out the Nova Extreme Pro you should be able to find it on line for around $300
 
speg

speg

Active Member
Originally Posted by nikeSB
http:///forum/post/3266740
it may be so, but the color you can attain from a 6 bulb fixture is crazy nice
No doubt. I appreciate your guys' input too. Just hard to spend 300 bucks when you have a wife who wants a pretty tank but doesn't want to spend any money on it :)
 
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