[AnemicOak]

Hi all,

I've started to get my lighting figured out, but haven't zeroed in on it totally. Thought maybe I could get some help.

I'm looking at either the...

Aqualight Pro from Coralife (2x150 MH DE w/2x96 PC Actinic & 3 LED Moonlights)
http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?I...lationship=313

or

The Aqua-Medic Aquaspacelight in one of the following varieties.
(2x150 MH DE w/2x24 compacts)
(2x250 MH DE w/2x24 compacts)
or maybe (2x250 MH DE w/1x150MH DE)
http://www.aqua-medic.com/products/l...acelight.shtml
is it really worth the extra $100 for the 2x24 compacts vs the same light without them?

or maybe an Aquastarlight Future (2x150 MH w/Moonlight)

Or some similar type of fixture. I'd like some opinons on these lights.


About the tank I'm setting up. It's a 75 AGA w/megaflow. 20" to the bare bottom of the tank, but will be using some type of sand bed (probably not a DSB). I was planning on some softies & LPS. However knowing how I am with hobbies I get into I'm sure it won't take long before I want to try some SPS or a clam. I was looking at a Sunlight Supply T5 Tek light (6 or 8 bulb), but have been swayed towards some type of MH fixture as I don't want to end up rebuying lights in a year. This tank has a center support so I wonder if the Spacelight would be less effective due to its configuration.

I don't wish to hang the lights if at all possible (unless there is a good reason to) and would prefer to be able to use some form of legs to hold them above the tank.

I've really had a hard time working out my lighting (have a 4 page thread on RC & still can't decide) and would appreciate any thoughts you guys might have. I thought maybe on another forum I might get some fresh opinions.


Thanks in advance!

[Ninong]

Hi AnemicOak, welcome to Reefland!


I'm not familiar with the Coralife fixture.

The Aqua-Medic fixtures are designed to be suspended above the tank. It is possible to mount them on some sort of "legs" provided the bottom of the fixture is at least 8" above the water. The manufacturer recommends a minimum of 30 cm (12") above the water but many people cheat and mount them a little closer than than. I have an Aquastarlight Future fixture mounted 11" above the water.

I noticed in the link to Aqua-Medic's site that they now offer the 48" fixtures with electronic ballasts. That might be something to consider. I'm not sure if they mean both sizes (150w AND 250w) or just 150w. I have the 250w size in my Aquastarlight and I can tell you that the onboard magnetic ballasts are very heavy and they cause the fixture to get very hot, so electronic ballasts would certainly go a long way in mitigating those two issues.

I wouldn't be too concerned about your center brace in a 48" tank. It is much more of a problem when someone has a 72" tank with a center brace.

You will have to decide which lighting scheme best suits your needs and your preferences. You do not need to go with the 250w size over your size tank unless you really want to. You can get by perfectly well with the 150w size or even a T5 fixture.

You will have to decide how much money you want to spend. You will have to decide how much trouble you want to put up with in adapting your fixture to your intended "canopy" design. Suspended fixtures are not really intended to be used in fully enclosed canopies. There are a couple of ways to make them work with a canopy. One way is to simply cut a rectangular opening in the top of the canopy just slightly smaller than the dimensions of the fixture and then simply lay the fixture on top of the canopy. Another way is to build a taller canopy with a top that is almost completely open.

One of the fixtures you listed is not shown on Aqua-Medic's website because I think it is only available here in the U.S. That would be the 48" Aquaspacelight with two 250w AB-10000 HQI DE lamps and one 150w 20,000K HQI DE lamp. They make that version by removing the two 24w Osram blue PCs in the middle and replacing them with a 150w 20,000K HQI DE lamp with an electronic ballast. If they are now offering that version with ALL electronic ballasts that would be nice.

Sunlight Supply also has a new fixture that combines DE halides with T5 actinics: http://www.sunlightsupply.com/aquarium/news.shtml

You will soon realize that your decision is going to be restricted more by what is most practical in your particular situation rather than what is "best."

[patsfan1130]

I own a 48'' Aquaspacelight with 2x250w 10k HQI DE & 150w 20k blv. It has internal magnetic ballasts for the 10ks and does run hot. I have it suspended 12'' from the surface and do not experience any heat problems. I did a lot of research on the fixture and unfortunately,aquamedic does not currently have a 250w model with electronic ballasts.

I am extremely happy with the unit. top notch workmanship and a fine quality product. A local reefer in my area has the dual 250w unit with the PC actinics and it gives a beautiful look as well IMO.

[AnemicOak]

Thanks guys. I was under the impression that all new Aquaspacelights had electroinc ballasts (4' models only).

I've done a lot of thinking & searching & reading. I think I'm going with the Aqualight Pro fopr various reasons.

You will have to decide how much money you want to spend. You will have to decide how much trouble you want to put up with in adapting your fixture to your intended "canopy" design.

Not putting it into a canopy, just wanted to use legs on it instead of hanging it.

You will soon realize that your decision is going to be restricted more by what is most practical in your particular situation rather than what is "best."

Thanks for the advice. It made me think about it a bit differently & ultimately helped me make the "final" (I think) decision.

[Reefland]

The only thing about that fixture are the 150w bulbs; which are fine for your tank now but will limit you in the future if you decide to upgrade to a larger tank. If your getting that fixture just because it comes with legs to stand it on, you might reconsider. The Aqua-Medic fixture with 250w bulbs would easily be sat on some type of manufactured leg's, it would just be a matter of figuring out what you need and making it or having someone make it for you.

[AnemicOak]

Well of course I'm not getting it just because it "has legs". That would be plain silly.

If I do get a bigger tank it'll probably be a 6 or 8 footer so whatever I get now wouldn't be that great for it anyway. It would be a long time from now & would probably be something in wall.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

That would be plain silly.

Are you trying to imply that silly is a bad thing? If so, I think I may be in trouble...

[AnemicOak]

After considering the tons of advice/opinions I've gotten everywhere (including what Scott said about upgrading tanks later) I think I know how I'm going.

PFO 250w Mini HQI Pendant x2
IceCap 250w HQI-MH Ballast x2
Hamilton 14k 250w DE bulb x2
PFO to IceCap converter x2

Works out to just over $500 for what should be some pretty good lighting. I'll start with that & decide if I feel the need for supplementation later. With the pendants if I do go to a 6 or 8 foot tank in the future sometime I can throw one of two more pendants into the mix.


~Brian

[Samper]

I don't think I'd be unhappy with that.

[markc123]

do you think the 150w s would be ok for a 90gal

[Reefland]

Hi markc123, Welcome to Reefland!

A couple of 150w would be fine for a 90gallon but a couple of 250w would be better to punch through the water column. For the additional cost, I would go with 250w personally.