Is this a good deal?

[infoe]

Brand new, never used Coralife 36" Aqualight. Includes 10,000K daylight and 420nm actinic lamps. Bought two from different online stores because one delayed shipping a month!
$120.

I know buying lighting is like buying a car but just can't get my head around what is good or worth it and has good scalability.

a bit about my system.

55gal DAS (converted where i removed big bulky overflow) believe their called eurobrace up at the top where the lids sit on. (currently theres just a single lightbulb inbetween the lid and where the eurobrace sits) I imagine with the new light setup id have to run the tank with no lids and have the legs of the lighting sit on the braces. Which means id want to run some type of mesh so the flish dong go carpet surfing.

it's fish only currently but want to upgrade lighting to be able to delve into corals...tank has been up since oct 2010 with live rock constant water changes and just 3 fish in the tank. I run the tank with a koralia 4.

thoughts? did i give enough info. I guess would i be able to run anything with this type of lighting? would it do sps?

 

[thegrun]

What type bulbs (T-5 or CF) and how many bulbs in the fixture?

 

[Demonic]

Not really a good deal. Just get T5 now if you want those type of lights. You will want to upgrade sooner than later with this light and will never get any money out of it. Just my opinion though, you might be happy with it.

 

[potterjon]

+1 on t5's.
You can change the type of bulbs and there are many more choices of color.

 

[infoe]

It is a t-5

http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=83786

 

[greech]

If that is a 4 bulb fixture it looks like you will save about $100 from buying new (although the newer version seems to come with moonlights). From the description on Foster & Smith it pretty much sounds like it has a single reflector which isn't what you want. I would not think you would have much success with SPS except for just below the light and even then color may not be that good. If it were me I would pass unless you just want a starter light to get you buy to have some softies and some low light LPS.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.c...6112&subref=AA&CAWELAID=844856084&cagpspn=pla

To get an idea of a good T5 fixture take a look at the ATI Power Modules and SunPowers as well as the Tek fixtures.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/

If this tank has standard 55 dimensions it has some height to it so good reflectors, bulbs and ballasts will help get decent light to the bottom.