new guy...lighting suggestions

ahullsb

New member
I have a 55 gallon tank with an anenome, a variety or corals, but need to upgrade from my coralife power compact. What light would you recommend? T-5's or MH's? I've been interested in the aqualight pro and the setups that outer orbit have. But as I said, I'm new to this and don't know exactly what I need. Thanks!
 
Either :) Both have there drawbacks and bonuses. Each totally different from each other. Ones a point source, with nice shimmers that has a proven track record with lots of tanks that are and have used them with lots of data and experience backing it. T5's are still relatively new that definately come with a learning curve. They are definately proven but with a shorter track record. If you want the full potential of T5's intensity individual reflectors are a must. Both will allow you to keep pretty much anything that's photosynthetic, one may be slightly more efficient but how much so is mostly all speculation/guestimation. If you do get T5's I highly recommend to NOT get fixtures that do not have individual reflectors per bulb, otherwise the stigma that loomed over them inthe beginning kinda holds true, that they will be "just a high output power compact.." These fixtures not only dont utilize the bulbs potential, but also shorten the life of the bulb unless cooled with a fan thats built in the fixture. Just aiming a clip on or house fan just doesnt cut it, as the ballast and bulbs are recessed within the unit.

Ive been using T5's for over a couple years now, and have had good results and would recommend them for pretty much any tank 24" deep and under. Hope that helps.

-Justin
 
I have the aqualight pro set on my tank and like it very much, I started out with the 150w and found it didn't have enough light and upped to the 250w set.....way cool. Mine is a 75g, a little wider than yours. They are a great all included set with MHs,PCs and the moons....

I personaly prefer MHs and would recommend that you do get either the T5s or them, I like the bulb choices and the shimmer than the T5s.....but the added potential for heat with MHs may require a chiller.

I was considering the Tek lighting T5s when thinking of upgrading and others may have recomendation on other T5 kits.

There are many all in one kits, if that is your route or if your ambitious and handy you could build your own kit and probably save money, but thats hard to do when you don't know what you exactly want or need......I would do exactly what you are doing and ask what others have and look at the marine and reef web site also, I found their lighting section nice with charts to help you decide what you are looking for.

But in the end, be honest with what tank you want to end up with so you don't upgrade your lights three times like I did......too bad, I sold my 150's cheap to a guy in Georgia a few months ago.

(But you do need MHs for that anenome, he looks a little bleeched and needs light....(my opinion on that can be found on the other thread))
 
Oh, BTW Justin does know his T5s......I am just one of many MH cheerleaders.....he knows his stuff for sure!!!
 
thanks. that is one of the reasons I'm upgrading. I'm just trying to figure out whether 700 bucks is the way to go, or whether I will regret it when I upgrade to a bigger tank eventually. Does the outer orbit light look worth the money? And I hope I wouldn't need a chiller. They are expensive aren't they?
 
Do you think that for the money adding the metal halides and moon lights are worth it? You think I could just go with t5's and add moonlights seperately?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8516253#post8516253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ahullsb
Do you think that for the money adding the metal halides and moon lights are worth it? You think I could just go with t5's and add moonlights seperately?

For 315 bucks you could light your tank, and every room in the house with moonlights ;)

-Justin
 
Thanks. should I do the combo of whites and actinics? I don't have enough experience to to know what the color difference is between all these bulbs
 
That would depend on what your looking for

If you like the crisp white look with a ting of blue do a 50/50 with aquablue+ and actinic+ this will give a 14-15k look

if you like your white more of a pure white or 10k look do a 50/50 split with ATI's day bulb and actinic+

If this was my choice I would be torn between 3 actinic+ and 1 day or
3 actinic+ and 1 aquablue+( knowing me probably the latter ;) ) but I like the 15k-20k right in the middle is my sweet spot :D

-Justin
 
On a side note to let you know as well the 4bulb IC system will give you an output roughly of 320w, although the bulbs are marked to run at 54w each the IC ballast drives them near 80w each.

-Justin
 
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