Should I stay or should I go!!!!!

[extrememc]

I currently have a 30" Coralife 135 50/50 light centered on my 55 gal.
Like this
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12109&N=2004+11334\
5

Should I stick with it or upgrade to 50/50 48" Flourecent Light place
in a standard flourecent fixture.
Like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3794&N=2004+113350

Or should I want til I can afford something better.

The reason I want to upgrade for now is because the light I have is
help the growth of things but only in the center of the tank. I would
like to have light all the way across. I have also wanting to put some
toadstool , frags, and varies other coral
Like what in this Nano Pack
http://www.aquacon.com/nanopacks.html

 

[GSMguy]

what about a t5 setup to really make your tank happy

 

[extrememc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8979807#post8979807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
what about a t5 setup to really make your tank happy

Can I use those bulbs with a regular flourecent fixture?

 

[dastratt]

No. You need a T5 fixture for T5 bulbs

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_fluorescent_sunlight_tek_light_high_output.asp?CartId=

you may want to try to save up a bit for T5 or MH

 

[extrememc]

Well for now I am on a budget and I have read around that there are some DIY lighting out there I just haven't been able to find it.

 

[GSMguy]

there are lots of them they are called retrofits

 

[extrememc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8980730#post8980730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
there are lots of them they are called retrofits

What would you suggest from this seller on ebay.
http://stores.ebay.com/Club-Reef_Lighting_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ18QQftidZ2QQtZkm

 

[pjf]

T5 > PC

T5 > PC

I recommend replacing your PC lighting which produces ~60 lumens per watt with T5HO lighting which produces ~90 lumens per watt. T5HO fixtures provide better reflectors, save electricity, last longer and offer more bulb choices.

Here are some websites for T5HO fixtures:

www.diyreef.com
www.reefgeek.com
www.seedsetc.com

I recommend the 4x54-watt Tek Light fixture. Your light intensity will probably double so I recommend that you purchase two timers for a dawn-to-dusk lighting cycle. Run your actinic tubes for 10-12 hours daily and your white tubes for 3-4 hours during mid-day. You may want to buy just two tubes which will equal your present lighting.

 

[pjf]

Normal Output T5 Light Strips

Normal Output T5 Light Strips

Here are some economical 48" T5 light strips made by Coralife:

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_aqualightT5.htm

They contain normal output 28-watt T5 lamps and should produce ~100 lumens per watt (http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightingAnswers/lat5/pc1a.asp). Unfortunately, I am told that their reflectors are not the best. They come in single lamp or double lamp versions.

 

[pjf]

T6 Fixtures

T6 Fixtures

Here are some economical T6 fixtures. T6 lamps are similar to T5 lamps but have pins that are able to fit into regular T8 and T12 fixtures:

http://www.catfishlighting.com/body_t5lights.htm

 

[gigi4539]

Go halide!!!! Corals do better!!!

 

[GSMguy]

halide is the cheap route these days as well
those economical coralife strips are crap compared to real t5with individual reflectors

 

[extrememc]

Re: T6 Fixtures

Re: T6 Fixtures

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8983901#post8983901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pjf
Here are some economical T6 fixtures. T6 lamps are similar to T5 lamps but have pins that are able to fit into regular T8 and T12 fixtures:

http://www.catfishlighting.com/body_t5lights.htm

So if I buy the 48" T-6 High Output 108 Watt Fluorescent Light from the above site would that be all I need for now?

 

[GSMguy]

no that light is untested and cheap chinese i would say that t6 is not ready yet and they have not gotten indinvidual reflectors
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Retrofit_Kits/

 

[GSMguy]

there is the doi it yourself lighting you need and they make fixtures as well