Overwhelmed by Lighting Choices

JiveWalker

JiveWalker

New member
I'm an old salt, but been out for about 10 years. Just picked up a 90 and need to buy lighting. A lot has changed in 10 years! Needless to say, I'm having a difficult time sifting through all of the info. Here is my goal(s):

-Going to start off FOWLR
-Want to get into coral down the road
-want a lighting fixture that will work for me now and later, when I get some corals
-would love to stay away from MH if possible, not sure if it is?

What cost is typical for a used high quality fixture that would meet my needs? What are the best brands or models for me to search for in the classifieds?

Thanks a ton for any input.

Brian
 
Reef Breeders LED fixture are nice. I have 2 24in Proton's over my 75 and am planning an up grade to 120 and ecpect to use the same fixtures for that tank.
 
I have been using a ReefBreeders Photon32 over my 90, and have been very happy with it. Good performance and great value.
 
JiveWalker said:
Does anyone know anything about these fixtures? What do you think about short term use until I can afford something better? Thanks for your thoughts!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VG-48-Timer...401?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccf26c581
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The only problem you run into with fixtures like that from eBay is they're far less efficient because they have one big reflector over all the bulbs instead of individual reflectors per bulb like high quality fixtures along with cooling fans. Lighting is one of the most important pieces of equipment for your tank, don't skimp! Like said earlier you could find a nice used ATI unit on the for sale section, do some more research and gain some posts and you can go buy one there!
 
Rarend99 said:
The only problem you run into with fixtures like that from eBay is they're far less efficient because they have one big reflector over all the bulbs instead of individual reflectors per bulb like high quality fixtures along with cooling fans. Lighting is one of the most important pieces of equipment for your tank, don't skimp! Like said earlier you could find a nice used ATI unit on the for sale section, do some more research and gain some posts and you can go buy one there!
Click to expand...

Thanks, i understand the reflectors. Also, thanks for everyones input. As everyone reccomends, I will not skimp on the cheap ebay stuff. I will keep my eyes open for a used ATI or equivalent, and when I get 50 posts I'll check out the used section. thanks again!
 
JiveWalker said:
Thanks, i understand the reflectors. Also, thanks for everyones input. As everyone reccomends, I will not skimp on the cheap ebay stuff. I will keep my eyes open for a used ATI or equivalent, and when I get 50 posts I'll check out the used section. thanks again!
Click to expand...

Another idea, have you thought about going LED?
 
JiveWalker said:
I would love to go LED, not sure I have deep enough pockets to do as well in LED as I can in HOT5, but I may be wrong. LED is happening so fast. From what I have seen on here, it is very cool!
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Led should cost you between 450-550! But the money you'll save is amazing. If you buy an ATI fixture for a couple hundred then you have to buy bulbs every 6-8 months at a couple hundred! If you spend a little more upfront, your bulb changing days are over!
 
Rarend99 said:
Led should cost you between 450-550! But the money you'll save is amazing. If you buy an ATI fixture for a couple hundred then you have to buy bulbs every 6-8 months at a couple hundred! If you spend a little more upfront, your bulb changing days are over!
Click to expand...

Makes sense. I guess I really need to get out of my old school train of thought and start researching the LED's a little more. What is the "real" lifespan of the LED fixture/driver/led's????
 
The "real" lifespan is about a year or two, which is when people seem to replace their current fixture for a newer one with improvements. The actual lifespan of the fixtures is still undetermined, but it will be many years.
 
6 months for t5 bulbs is wasteful and excessive. I go 12-18 months per bulb with no problems. However, my t5s came free with the tank and its a good fixture with individual reflectors. Can't beat free. If I were buying a whole new fixture to start, regardless of how deep my pockets were, I'd save and get a reef breeders photon 32-48" depending on how patient I was. Once you get a t5 fixture and fix it up with brand new bulbs, you're getting close to led fixture cost anyway. What's an extra hundred bucks to never bulb change again
 
Bpb said:
6 months for t5 bulbs is wasteful and excessive. I go 12-18 months per bulb with no problems. However, my t5s came free with the tank and its a good fixture with individual reflectors. Can't beat free. If I were buying a whole new fixture to start, regardless of how deep my pockets were, I'd save and get a reef breeders photon 32-48" depending on how patient I was. Once you get a t5 fixture and fix it up with brand new bulbs, you're getting close to led fixture cost anyway. What's an extra hundred bucks to never bulb change again
Click to expand...

exactly my thoughts
 
Im liking it, but it sure seems like the market will soon be flooded with nice used T5 set ups for dirt cheap, since everyone is switching to LED. I still want to know how loud the fans are on the photons.
 
JiveWalker said:
Im liking it, but it sure seems like the market will soon be flooded with nice used T5 set ups for dirt cheap, since everyone is switching to LED. I still want to know how loud the fans are on the photons.
Click to expand...

I have two photon 16s in my bedroom and i cannot hear a thing, literally
 
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