which is better

[muzz]

hello all, another question here........but first some info.

I am setting up a 125g, 72" reef tank. I will want to stock it with sps, some lps, and either bubble tip or carpet anenome. I still am undecided on a clam, but it is not very important right now. I have a ways to go before I can add corals, but I will be purchasing the light soon.

The tank is 22" deep only, so I was looking at either the outer orbit pro(current) with 3x150w MH and 8 t-5(39w i think) which I can get for roughly 1000.00. Or I am going to get the 72" constellation t-5 14 lamp fixture, which if I figured correctly, after buying bulbs would run about the same price as the orbit.

Is one going to be much better than the other? Anyone have problems with either fixture? Do t-5's cost less to operate in the long run?( as far as my electrical bill is concerned taht is) And if I get the orbit, would anyone suggest swappin any of the actinic t-5 bulbs out with daylight, or just leave them as they are when shipped? thanks for any and all information, it is truly appreciated.

 

[hahnmeister]

For that price, you should consider a Maristar as well... 3x250wattDE w/ 4x39wattT5s.

 

[muzz]

the problem with the maristar is, if you get a fixture with the ballasts and bulbs included, you are anywhere from 1660.00 to 2000.00 dollars. I am not looking to go over a grand except for shipping. I can get the outer orbit pro 150w x 3 with 8 t-5 39w, and 12 blue and 12 white lunar led's(moon lighting) for 999.00 plus shipping. the constellation fixture is 14 t-5 bulbs, and I found the fixture alone for 684.00, add the cost of 14 bulbs, and I would be right at a grand minus shipping. I am wondering what i would be happiest with, and what will be less expensive to run, considering bulb replacement, and electricity used. Does anyone else have an opinon on this?

 

[GSMguy]

if it were my moneyi think i would get the constellation

 

[muzz]

have you used one or do you have one?

 

[muzz]

anyone else have an opinion?

 

[joncat24]

I would get the odyssea 1134 watt 72".....but I like to save money. $499

 

[muzz]

from what i have read and heard, when buying the odyssea fixtures, you have to immediately buy a new switch, which gets stuck almost instantly when you use it. Also, the bulbs that seem to come with the fixture really dont look good to me at all, very well, and not the same output as the better bulbs on the market. people have had many different opinions on the stock bulbs, which are not labeled as to what they are. So after adding in the new switch, labor to install it, and 3 new halide bulbs, the price jumps another 250 or so. Plus, I just do not think then when buying a new product, you should have to replace or tinker with anything, I would rather buy something a little more expensive that I know will work, and if it doesnt, then the company will stand behind it.

I do appreciate your opinion, as I have looked at those many times, and read every page in the review posted in the forums here.

I am leaning towards the constellation T-5 fixture, because I am thinking that it will be chea[per to run in the grand scheme of things. From what i have heard, halides are expensive to operate, and I won't get the same heat issues with the T-5's, also,the T-5's(i thought i read in a post on here, but can not seem to find it again) seem to put out more par than the halide fixtures. I know that would also be dependant on the combination of bulbs i use. Am I wrong here? or do I have the right idea?

Does anyone know of a good combo of bulbs for the constellation, 14 bulbs in all. Thanks again for any and all help and opinions.