Lights

[Joe Fish]

I'm looking to get a t5 or PC fixture. I'm wondering how to acclimate the fish and corals slowly. I like the PC fixture because it's 260 watts and the t5 is 220.

 

[saltwater4life]

umm when i swiched from my 20w to my 130w i just slowwly left the new lights on longer and longer untill i got them to the time i was shooting for hope that helps

 

[dogdoc]

The T-5 fixture may be less watts, but a good one will actually put more usable light into the tank.

 

[Joe Fish]

I will keep that in mind. The t5 fixture is cheaper too $200 vs $250.

 

[Limi310]

Can you post a link to the T5 fixture?.....Just curious

 

[Joe Fish]

Here it is: 48" Nova Extreme 4x54W T5 HO w/4 Lunar (Current)

 

[dbacksrat]

The Novas aren't too good because each bulb does not have individual reflectors. Therefore, you lose a lot of light.
If you're looking for T5s, Tek Lights are the standard. Check Ebay for the best deal.

 

[TheFool]

For max effinciency from T5 you need individual gull wing reflectors for each tube, then you can stop a high % of the light going back into the bulb. The cheapo fixtures like this do not do that - it's worth about 40% of ouput.

 

[Joe Fish]

Alright, I'll look around. Thanks.

What about this one? I don't think it has lunar lights though. Also, what is the total wattage on this one? I can't find the number.

eBay: TEK LIGHT T5 HO 4ft / 4 LAMP FLUORESCENT LIGHTING (item 130054013212 end time Dec-10-06 05:54:05 PST)

Here is another:
eBay: 48" POWER COMPACT 6 X 65 Aquarium LIGHT New w/ lunar (item 250056418723 end time Dec-11-06 10:50:54 PST)

Another:
eBay: 48" Orbit 4x65w Power Compact & Lunar Light Strip New (item 260061337130 end time Dec-15-06 11:29:57 PST)

 

[Lorna]

Joe if it were me I would save my scheckls until I could afford the absolute best lighting I could. Rather than look for something now just bide your time until you can get the really good t5s There is no point buying a light now that won't do what you want it to do and then needing to upgrade again later. You could probably diy a metal halide system for almost the same price as a pc fixture.....if you have the know how and the time to do it. I just wish I could have put a pendant or two on mine, but with a cathedral ceiling I couldn't, hence the fixture I have. I do wish I had gone with t5 and mh combo though as opposed to pc and mh.....

 

[Joe Fish]

Well I was looking at that $200 fixture as something to get me by. I only have 120 watts right now of NO. I know I'm still debating on just waiting. I was thinking about those MH pendants, but I want to include actinics. I have been researching t5s and I do like them better. I guess I can just wait, my corals seem to be doing fine with the light I have they just do not grow very fast. Well, my tulip anemone are growing...for now. I might just work on my sump and stick with the lights I have now.