Aqua Medic vs JBJ Viper lamp

[ReefWifey]

Hey all,

I'm wanting to increase the lights over my JBJ 12dx. Ive got a little zoo garden in there, and while they don't need strong light to survive, I think they'll grow and spread out better under higher light.

I'm trying to decide if I want to do a Aqua Medic Ocean Light Pendant - 150w, or the JBJ Viper lamp 150w. Anyone have any pros and cons on either, and suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Newreeflady]

Wow, 150 watts for zoos is a lot, I had a zoo farm under 36w before, they are not super fast growers anyhow, even under 400w halide, ime. Consider the heating issues before you put a 150 on there (unless you're house stays very cool.)

Just a thought, I also considered the 150w for my 12g, but didn't want to boil it. If you put it on there, post how it goes

-A

 

[ReefWifey]

Yeah, I may do the 70W, each model has one. I'm curious if anyone has any things they like/or complaints about the clamp on style lamp verses one sittup up there with legs.

 

[Agu]

As I recall the Aquamedic clamp on has to be modified to fit a nano.

Yep, found it Aquamedic Mod

 

[DavinD]

Agu,

That mod is for the Coralife fixture.

 

[louist]

The Oceanlight pendant legs needs to be modified if your tank's width is greater than 29cm. It should be able to accommodate up to 35cm without an issue. I modded mine since my tank is 30cm wide.

AquaMedic is a premium brand, if it suits your tank I would certainly take it over JBJ.

 

[Newreeflady]

I am about to post pix and review of the jbj 70w. I really like the lamp. I just fired it up a few mins ago, it's a touch blue for my taste, even with the 14k lamp, but I think it will brighten/whiten in a couple of weeks as it burns in

Overall, I like the clamp, it seems very solid and I can adjust it to my liking so that it doesn't blind me and does an excellent job of lighting the tank. I also like the clamp because if you are acclimating new corals, you can bring the lamp higher so as not to burn your stuff. The 70w is more than bright enough for zoos... I plan to keep a mixed sps/lps maybe some softies and polyps in here.

Anyhow, i'll post more in my post: JBJ viper: User reviews in a few moments after I get photobucket sorted out..

-Angela

 

[mbunaman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7102945#post7102945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Newreeflady
Wow, 150 watts for zoos is a lot, I had a zoo farm under 36w before, they are not super fast growers anyhow, even under 400w halide, ime. Consider the heating issues before you put a 150 on there (unless you're house stays very cool.)

Just a thought, I also considered the 150w for my 12g, but didn't want to boil it. If you put it on there, post how it goes

-A

My zoos are under halides and grow like weeds

 

[Newreeflady]

I wasn't saying that they wouldn't grow. But, honestly, I had mine under 400w halide in my 65g tank and they grew nicely. They also grew under 36w halide once I moved them to a 10g tank. My point was, I really don't think it's necessary to do that upgrade for zoos.

-A

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

i would go with the 70watt unless your geting to be getting into more light demanding corals too, JMO

 

[ReefWifey]

Hey all....I'm still deciding. =P Now I'm wondering about just doing the mod that gives me 4 PCs in there. I'm wondering if that will be enough to let them my zoas be healthy and grow. I've some some colonies sprout a few polyps already.

 

[Melbourne]

Go with the Aquamedic Oceanlight - it uses a standard magnetic HQI ballast versus an electronic. You will get much better and truer colors from the mag ballast with the popular bulbs. I would also go with the 150 HQI since you can always use it on a larger tank if you upgrade. 70 watt is nice but just doesn't cut it when you go larger.

 

[Newreeflady]

I would bet that the pc mod would work fine for you... do you think you could still keep the heat down in the stock hood?

-A

 

[rockindacheeks]

are you really trying to campare Aqua Medic to JBJ? sorry but i am anti JBJ, and if you go the ocean light you would have zero problems with it. they are awesome. get the 150W

 

[Newreeflady]

So, then, am I to take it you don't like the JBJ lamps?

Seriously, though... Have you seen them?

I actually love my 70w lamp and my 12g nanocube... but, then, I have not had problems in the 2 weeks i've had them... Reefwifey also owns a JBJ product... the nanocube.

-A

 

[ReefWifey]

Lol...WELL! Today I was at a local fish club meeting and ended up buying an 18 gallon with a stand, and with a 150w mh pend. Oh gawd....my husbands sickness has caught on. But honestly, I spent more for all that then for most of any mods I'd do to the nano, so I'll likely move most of my zoas into the 18 gallon so they can grow big and happy there.

 

[ReefWifey]

Lol...WELL! Today I was at a local fish club meeting and ended up buying an 18 gallon with a stand, and with a 150w mh pend. Oh gawd....my husbands sickness has caught on. But honestly, I spent more for all that then for most of any mods I'd do to the nano, so I'll likely move most of my zoas into the 18 gallon so they can grow big and happy there.

 

[BaskingSpot]

bump

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

congrats on your new buy