Wanted: Opinions on Compact Lighting Systems

C

Chrissy

New member
What is everyones thoughts/concerns with compact lighting systems?

which is the better?
Orbit/satellite/coralife?

I surely don't want to spend $$ on a nice system and find out in a month I hate it or it isn't worth the $$$..I have a fish only tank and will add some hardy corals.. so I don't need the best and brightest lights.. I just want something nice, looks good and priced good, and of course does the job.


:fish

:confused:
 
I have a small Coralife unit, seems to do the job.

I would look in to hellolights.com, may be getting one of their packages
 
I started my 90 gallon with a JBJ Formosa 4*55W unit. It was in service for about a year and I never had problems with it...

It worked well for softies...but I upgraded to halides + VHO actinics to keep more variety.
 
I bought my Coralife fixture for my 20 high on-line from Dr. Fosters when they were on sale last year. I have not had any problems. I also have a Current fixture for my 4 gallon which has not given me any problems. Both are quiet and seem well made. I would look for the best deal you can find, within the top manufacturers.
 
I run all coralife lighting setups. Two of their standard PC lighting rigs and one of their Aqualight Pro setups with MH/PC/Lunar.

Allow me to offer this insight: stay away from PC's if possible. Why? recurring cost. I hate the fact that every 6 months I have to spend X on new bulbs. My 55g alone runs about $100 with shipping on new PC bulbs every 6 months. With the corals that I keep, had I gone MH originally, I could have gone 12, 14, 18 months before absolutely needing to change the bulbs.

Other than that, PC's are fine. My one friend ran hers 8 or 10 months on her 10g. Depends on tank size, depth, etc.
 
My son got a 4x54w Nova t5 setup at salty critter. I have been really impressed with the unit over his 55g even though it doesn't have parabolic reflectors. I don't think at this point I would even look into PC's if I was considering new lighting.
 
I would spend the extra money and go T-5. Having used both PC and T-5, there is no comparison. T-5 just blows PC away. Its also nice in that by the time you replace the first set of T-5 bulbs (18-24 months) you will have made up the difference in initial cost.
 
I also have both T5 and PC. I have a lower wattage of T5s and the seem to be brighter than the higher wattage PCs. Of course, I wouldn't trade my MHs for any of them!!!!!
 
I bought a jebo pc light system on ebay, very cheap $ and very cheap bulbs. The actinic was just blue colored not actual actinic and after 8 months i had a cyano outbreak and had to change bulbs.

I bought coralife bulbs and noticed the difference right away but have only had them running for two months now on my seahorse tank.

I use metal halides on my big tank and all the critters in there love it! Only problem is the heat and the evaporation rate.

I would look into all the options, T5's sound like they might be worth it. I built my own hoods for the 75 and my 37 gallon and retro fitted the lighting. I like the brightness and color of the metal halides best and then you can have any types of corals, clams, etc...
 
I have no actual experience with aquatraders, but I looked into them when my son was shopping for lighting. Threads like this made me decide not to go with them.
 
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