Rate my light fixture

[gmate]

Now I'm not familiar with this brand when it comes to lighting. I recently purchased a 55g bowfront, and along with tank/stand the previous owner gave me this fixture and bulbs -

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife..._Fixtures-Coralife-ES08604-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

It's got dual 10k whites, dual Actinics, and LEDs. All three are individually wired in this fixture. I have no idea how old the fixture is or how old the bulbs are, but they all work well. The fan is in working order as well.

I was going to go buy http://www.aquactinics.com/pages/TX5.html, but the 36" fixture is double the price of what I have now and I can't really make the call whether or not it's that much of a viable upgrade for the price.

Any input from the more seasoned reef keepers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Allmost]

what are you planning to keep in terms of corals ?

the coralife T5 fixture isnt bad, and is enough if you want to keep easier LPS.

if you want to keep more light demanding corals, then you should go with a fixture with more bulbs.

T5s should be replaced every 6-8 months, so might have to get new ones.

oh and price difference is justified cause other one has much better reflectors, which will concentrate more of the output light into your reef rather than other sides.

 

[mgould73]

Now I'm not familiar with this brand when it comes to lighting. I recently purchased a 55g bowfront, and along with tank/stand the previous owner gave me this fixture and bulbs -

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife..._Fixtures-Coralife-ES08604-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

It's got dual 10k whites, dual Actinics, and LEDs. All three are individually wired in this fixture. I have no idea how old the fixture is or how old the bulbs are, but they all work well. The fan is in working order as well.

I was going to go buy http://www.aquactinics.com/pages/TX5.html, but the 36" fixture is double the price of what I have now and I can't really make the call whether or not it's that much of a viable upgrade for the price.

Any input from the more seasoned reef keepers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

The aquatinics fixture is no longer made, you may be able to find one used for a very good price. I actually got mine for $100. I dont know much about the coralife, but it doesnt look like it has indiviudal refelectors on the bulbs. Doesnt really say in the details either, maybe someone else may know.

Your tank is i believe only 17" widest in the center, and depending on what you want to keep a 4 buld fixture would do fine.

Take a look at the aquaticlife fixtures "36, they also have lunar's but are around the $300+ range.

Save a buck and find something used if you can (if your trying to save)

 

[gmate]

The aquatinics fixture is no longer made, you may be able to find one used for a very good price. I actually got mine for $100. I dont know much about the coralife, but it doesnt look like it has indiviudal refelectors on the bulbs. Doesnt really say in the details either, maybe someone else may know.

Your tank is i believe only 17" widest in the center, and depending on what you want to keep a 4 buld fixture would do fine.

Take a look at the aquaticlife fixtures "36, they also have lunar's but are around the $300+ range.

Save a buck and find something used if you can (if your trying to save)

That's great information about the Aquatinics fixture, I will do some hard searching there. Thank you!

 

[rtparty]

Yep, the aquactinics has been cancelled and coralife fixtures are bottom of the totem pole. I would look into Tek, ATI or Aquatic Life. Remember with the Aquatic Life you will want to replace the bulbs pretty quick. They aren't great bulbs.

T5s can go longer than 6-8 months like mentioned above. They can go about 12 months if cooled.

 

[Allmost]

T5s can go longer than 6-8 months like mentioned above. They can go about 12 months if cooled.

not in that fixture


with an ATI, sure. cause its cooled as u said

I used to have one of those coralife ones, for a LPS tank, worked great for me. [keeping in mind the low price ] but if OP wants a SPS tank then no good.

 

[gmate]

Well I have to replace the actinic bulb on this unit, which will run me 45. One set of fans doesn't appear to work either, which would be at least 15 dollars for me to fix (minus the time spent on wiring and pulling the unit apart). I think I'll look into ATI as recommended in a few months when I'm ready to 'splurge' on a new light. I don't have 300-400 to drop at the moment.

 

[gmate]

Five months later and trying to grow coral, this fixture sucks. Terrible, terrible, terrible. Looks like junk, cools like junk, bulbs are junky, grows softies and LPS fine SPS only if they're immediately at the surface of the water or within 6-8 inches of the water surface (and that's with the fixture 4 inches off the top).


Anyone ever going to purchase a coralife fixture, save your money. Going LED now.