Lighting-Starting Over

[Willie_6]

I need suggestions for lights. I currently have 8 x 54w PC made by orbit. I thought when I bought them they were T5's, but it turns out I am mistaken. Now I do not think my lights are adequate for what I want to keep (clams, bta's as well as others).

What may even be more frustrating is that replacement bulbs are $27 x 8 = $216. That's about a third of the cost for the original unit. I have been told PC's should be replaced anywhere from 6 months to every year. I can not see paying $216 every six months.

So I am asking for recomendations that will give me the most bang for the buck. I want bulbs that will last and when they need replacement they are not too expensive. Even something with less bulbs, therefore there is less bulbs to replace.

I must admit I am still partial to the all in one unit. It looks nice and clean. Something like this:

http://www.oceanreeflections.com/en...g=Current USA

However, I am willing to listen to any suggestions. By the way I have a standard 75 gal tank. Thanks for the help.

 

[serpentman]

No doubt, I would go with 2x 250W MH with actinic supplementation (if necessary). You can find a lot of 'finished' units or pendants or you can make your own canopy.

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8996917#post8996917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
No doubt, I would go with 2x 250W MH with actinic supplementation (if necessary). You can find a lot of 'finished' units or pendants or you can make your own canopy.

Thanks for your input. Any links you could provide for what you are talking about? Or how about a ballpark price for a unit like this?

 

[shawnz28]

BTW... I do believe you have T5's not PC's. The 54w are the 4' T5 bulbs.

 

[serpentman]

Complete finished fixtures tend to be pretty pricey. For example, pendants can go $200-300/pc. All-in-one assemblies usually start in the upper $600's and go off the chart from there.

One thing to consider, depending on your budget is to pick up a used unit. I think Tom (Tbohinc) has a unit for sale. Not sure what size it is.

Here is an example of an all-in-one:

http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/aqua-medic/ocean-light-mh-combo.htm

Just a sample of a pendant (there are many options out there. Make sure they include a ballast).
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/metal_halide_pfo_hqi_mini_pendant.htm

DIY Kits
http://www.saltycritter.com/lighting/sunlight-supply/bluewave-se-retrofits.htm

DIY Pieces/parts (the most labor but definitely the least expensive)
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_metal_halide_accessories.asp?CartId=

 

[MJAnderson]

I'm partial to T5s. I have the Aquactinic 5x54w fixture and am happy with it over my 72g bow. The individual reflectors are good and it kicks out decent par, even more so since the active cooling lets you put it right on top of the tank without xferring much heat. Not sure how it compares par wise to the 8x54 fixture, but the cooling and individual reflects do make a big difference.

http://www.aquactinics.com/

btw, the lights will still cost you $20 each every year. Nature of the beast.

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8997057#post8997057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shawnz28
BTW... I do believe you have T5's not PC's. The 54w are the 4' T5 bulbs.

Hey!! You should know you sold them to me. Here is a couple of pics of the unit:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/Willie_6/FishTank2.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/Willie_6/FishTank6.jpg

Any ideas?

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8997181#post8997181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MJAnderson
I'm partial to T5s. I have the Aquactinic 5x54w fixture and am happy with it over my 72g bow. The individual reflectors are good and it kicks out decent par, even more so since the active cooling lets you put it right on top of the tank without xferring much heat. Not sure how it compares par wise to the 8x54 fixture, but the cooling and individual reflects do make a big difference.

http://www.aquactinics.com/

btw, the lights will still cost you $20 each every year. Nature of the beast.

and you claim to be a CFO. JK! I would think a CFO would steer clear of this hobby.

 

[shawnz28]

Yeah thats what I thought, just was not sure so I did not wanna say . Yes that is a 8x54 Nova Extreme fixture, not the power compacts. Should be plenty for BTA's and most clams other than maybe Croceas IMO. If there was any concern over the clams you could always lift them a bit off the sand and on a rock or two if you have a place.

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8997244#post8997244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shawnz28
Yeah thats what I thought, just was not sure so I did not wanna say . Yes that is a 8x54 Nova Extreme fixture, not the power compacts. Should be plenty for BTA's and most clams other than maybe Croceas IMO. If there was any concern over the clams you could always lift them a bit off the sand and on a rock or two if you have a place.

Shawn you are making my day!! How often should I replace the bulbs?

 

[shawnz28]

I have often heard every 24 months if they are normally driven and especially if they have fans like yours do. But at the same time there are lots of varying opinions on this. I would figure every 14-18 but that is me.... Sometimes though a bulb may go before the others, Just keep an eye on things like the ends of the bulbs they will be usually the first thing that darkens or looks odd.

 

[wsnyder6]

How are you liking the coloration of the tank with the Nova Extreme? I was thinking of getting the smaller 36" fixture.

 

[MJAnderson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8997231#post8997231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Willie_6
and you claim to be a CFO. JK! I would think a CFO would steer clear of this hobby.

It's not about the cost, it's about the return on investment! My tank is relaxing, as long as I'm not cleaning it. =)

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8998938#post8998938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MJAnderson
It's not about the cost, it's about the return on investment! My tank is relaxing, as long as I'm not cleaning it. =)

Oh man ROI, you really are a CFO...LOL

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8997447#post8997447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wsnyder6
How are you liking the coloration of the tank with the Nova Extreme? I was thinking of getting the smaller 36" fixture.

Overall I like the unit. I like that it stays pretty cool. The coloration is descent, but I do think I have seen better. Bond had a nice pic of some montipora, it was a bright green color. I bought a frag from him and can not touch the color that he had in his photo.

 

[mattyice]

hmm maybe it just is healing and getting its color back because as far as i know i have the Nova T5 NO retrofits and i have never seen so much fluorescence come out of my corals and my crocea clam is glowing metallic blue

 

[wsnyder6]

How many bulbs do you run mattyice? (Sorry for hijacking this thread a bit...)

 

[mattyice]

i am running 4 of the 36" bulbs over a temporary holding tank, and soon they will be going over my 40G breeder QT tank

 

[itZme]

Bulb selection plays a HUGE role in T5 coloration. Check out the lighting forums on RC to read up on common combinations of bulbs. I think lots people are running around 3 actinics per white (10,000K or 6500K) to help with fluorescence. Some say 2 white to 2 actinic.
I have a maxima and a squamosa clam as well as several SPS under 2 overdriven 54w T5 bulbs on each 75g tank. They are growing and coloring great.

I run a single URI 10,000K and a single Pure Actinic Gieseman bulb over each tank with a depth of 21". The 4 bulbs run off an IceCap 660 which supposedly drives them to 85w each.

 

[shawnz28]

Agreed, there are lots of choices these days too. For things I have read and from my experience the UVL Super Actinic beats out the Geiesmann(I think it has like 25% more par or more). I am running 2 of the Giesmann Aquablue Plus's( it is a 60/40 bulb and looks pretty white to my eye)and 1 of the UVL Super Actinics and I like the look.

For blue bulbs though seems like many like to throw at least one of the Actinic + by Geismann. It is a bright blue bulb which spikes at I think 460nm where a regular Actinic is at 420nm. Personally I dont care for it unless supplmenting white halides or running with 6500K T5's as it is too blue for my liking.