is this light good?

[Doma25]

Sundial T5HO

Lighting System "“ Total Control
Individually contoured reflectors for maximum light intensity
Dual integrated timers and automatic photocell for dawn/dusk and lunar lighting control
Cool running, performance-driven electronic ballasts
European style high output T5 lamps
Rear-mounted fans designed for standard aquarium canopy installations
Dimensions: 48.125" x 9.5" x 3.75"

i have one high light thing in my tank a maxima clam that i can keep up high. is this light a good one?

 

[Frogmanx82]

How many bulbs and what size is your tank? Individual reflectors and active cooling would seem to make it a good choice for someone's tank.

 

[Doma25]

4x54w

 

[Doma25]

its at marinedepot, i think it comes with lights will they be good?

 

[Frogmanx82]

The current fixtures are one the best budget setups. Again, what size tank? The bulbs can be improved upon. You aren't getting all the light you could using the actinics. Check out reefgeek.com for bulbs by ATI when it comes time to replace. 2 blue plus, a purple plus, and an aquablue would be the most recommended 4 bulbs to go with.

 

[Doma25]

sorry i should have described my tank better! i have an oceanic 90 gallon 48 x 18 x 29, should i sell the stock lights or they are not that bad. i currently have a power compact coralife 4x65 is the new light i am look at that much better.

 

[dch384]

i have a sundial T5 36 in and if i could do it over i would not have bought it . dont get me wrong it is a nice fixture for the dollar, but only good for an open top tank or a very low profile hood. i totally had to gut mine to retro fit it in the canopy and also know the fans are on the back so you have to have an open back hood or none

 

[Frogmanx82]

The new light will be less watts though probably would have better reflectors. If your going to upgrade you should get a 6 bulb unit which is a minimum recommendation you will find for a 90. It depends on what you want to keep of couse. I have 5 bulbs on a 90 with a Aquactinics TX5 which I'm happy with. My crocea clam does fine. 6 bulbs with good reflectors should be plenty.

One thing I really like about the Aquactinics light is that the fan is super quiet. I think I've heard people say the Current fixtures are a bit noisy. Probably not as big a deal if you are putting it under a canopy.

 

[username in use]

I have the 36" sundial.

1 - It's not individual reflectors, it is one reflector bent around each bulb. Not as efficient as individuals, but does pretty well.

2 - The stock bulbs are mediocre, I agree to check out the ATI's

3 - At the depth of your tank, I would run a 6 bulb, probably with individual reflectors.

 

[Doma25]

what about metal halide fixtures? will new led fixtures that are more affordable come out? will i need a chiller if tank is in a chilly room temp controlled.

 

[Frogmanx82]

An open top tank on T5s shouldn't need a chiller. A good fan on a MH should be fine. If you're planning on a lot of SPS, MH might be the way to go with a couple T5 bulbs for color. LED is up and coming, in fact already here, but I'm not sure what your options are.

 

[Doma25]

i would like to do the t5 fixture i am just nervous about the heat issue for metal halide, i no you recommend the 6 bulb fixture however the bow front is pretty narrow on top and the extra 3-4 inches can make opening the glass canopy hard. my rocks are set up so the front 3-4 inches of tank have a beach so alot of open space for my yellow tang to swim, so will the t-5 4x54 be good enough?

 

[monopolybag]

i have a sundial T5 36 in and if i could do it over i would not have bought it . dont get me wrong it is a nice fixture for the dollar, but only good for an open top tank or a very low profile hood. i totally had to gut mine to retro fit it in the canopy and also know the fans are on the back so you have to have an open back hood or none

I agree here. I think there are better options.

Look at Aquaticlife t5 HO fixtures. They are very very nice. I have sued a 48" one on a tank and like it very much. Seems to work well even with a canopy on top of it.

4 48" T5 HO are not enough for clams. Halides are bad with the ehat, don't go there. Look at an open top 6 bulb fixture.
Tek Light Elite

LED Lights would be best. You would not need to change the bulbs and they could do the clam easily.
LED

AI LED

 

[monopolybag]

Also Marineland LED Reef Capable Lighting

And Wavepoint is coming out with LED lighting this summer.

 

[Frogmanx82]

It will be OK. You'll have to put some stuff higher in the tank. It depends what you want to keep. The fixture I have, Aquactinics TX5 is also 9.5 inches wide and has true individual reflectors. You lose the moonlights, but you can probably get better ones. I use R2 solutions extreme. Very small, very bright.

If you've already decided on the Sundial, you could do worse. They are regarded as reasonable quality at a good price, just a bit undersized for a 90 if you want high light clams and sps. I would not use the actinic bulbs and go with the ATI blue plus as a replacement. The ATI blue plus has very high PAR values (light output)

 

[Doma25]

thank you both you have been a great help! i think i will be happy with the t5s, i feel like leds will be going down in price really soon!

 

[monopolybag]

thank you both you have been a great help! i think i will be happy with the t5s, i feel like leds will be going down in price really soon!

Possibly, but probably not. They are more expensive to make. The thing with LEDs is that over a long time you will save a bunch more money. No need ot replace bulbs that are $20-$30 each, electric bill, and no heat. LEDs are the equivalent to Halides in most cases.

 

[Ranchero]

I had one and liked it

 

[Doma25]

i think the sundial is the best for me i dont keep anything really on the sand bed and if i want sps maybe try it very high up!

 

[Doma25]

or the tek light