[wildernesstank]

i have the ebay light ? the one for 299 70 shipped .... but its made cheap

[charlie]

I have an opinion about things that are made cheap, and that is you will end up spending more than you are good for in the long run. Is there any guarntee that run along with this lite, do they back their product????????

I have spent alot on lighting, and I have found that you really only have to spend that money once if you buy the best first, then you don't have to worry about later. JMHO

[wildernesstank]

yes ^ very true yes there is only a 30 day thing were they will send you bulb or what ever for free u just pay shipping thing, and it is a un known brand thats from china but as you can see the coral are luving it

[Garrett]

Just viewing along here, i have a 55 gal as well and am thinking of doing the same thing....

wildernesstank were are there pictures of your tank ppl in this thread are talking about..

[Reefland]

I agree with Charlie here, go with the more expensive, better known brand initially and you will save in the long run.

[03sonicstang]

Originally Posted by Reefland

I agree with Charlie here, go with the more expensive, better known brand initially and you will save in the long run.

Thanks Scott! I appreciate your thoughts. Any recommendations of a good unit that will not totally break the bank?

Thanks Tom

[wildernesstank]

Originally Posted by Garrett

Just viewing along here, i have a 55 gal as well and am thinking of doing the same thing....

wildernesstank were are there pictures of your tank ppl in this thread are talking about..

yes that is my tank, thats a old shot i even more coral believe it or not, you know how it is when you like it you can alwase make more room

[charlie]

Originally Posted by 03sonicstang

Thanks Scott! I appreciate your thoughts. Any recommendations of a good unit that will not totally break the bank?

Thanks Tom

Give me your budget, and I will go "in search of" for you.

[03sonicstang]

Originally Posted by charlie

Give me your budget, and I will go "in search of" for you.

You are the man! I would like to stay under $500.00 but would be willing to go a little more for the right light. Thanks again!

[charlie]

Alrighty then, give me a day or two and I'll see what I can come up with. Do you have a real preference as to how you want to go, T5, MH, PC, or a combination? I think I should be able to come up with something, don't you?

[charlie]

This one just popped into my head, I'll do some more looking around.

48 inch Giesemann Reflexx 4x54W T5 Light Fixture - Silver (22in Units )

[03sonicstang]

I like it but I was looking for a combo unit; or should I not be concerned with that? Should I be buying.... say Lunar seperate? Thanks for your help and research

[charlie]

Geez, just about everything that I looked at in a 4' combination fixture, PFO, Giesemann, Current USA......... was close to $800 or above. Whew, it's been awhile since I have bought lighting.
I run PFO hoods on all my stuff, and have had no complaints whatsoever. Lighting is not cheap, that is for sure. I also know that alot of folks are really liking the T5 fixtures and lites. The one thing that I am not to sure about with T5 lites is the amount of lite penetration that you will get. Can you do a little research on the side into T5 bulbs? You can probably a bunch of info right on this site as a matter of fact!!!!
As far as Lunar lites go, as far as I am concerned they are for aesthetics. But, I have seen them on a few peoples tanks, and they are pretty cool, great for that late nite spying session!!
I hope I am helping you out here, I feel bad in a way because of the cost of good lighting!!!!! I have been there too.

[03sonicstang]

Originally Posted by charlie

Geez, just about everything that I looked at in a 4' combination fixture, PFO, Giesemann, Current USA......... was close to $800 or above. Whew, it's been awhile since I have bought lighting.
I run PFO hoods on all my stuff, and have had no complaints whatsoever. Lighting is not cheap, that is for sure. I also know that alot of folks are really liking the T5 fixtures and lites. The one thing that I am not to sure about with T5 lites is the amount of lite penetration that you will get. Can you do a little research on the side into T5 bulbs? You can probably a bunch of info right on this site as a matter of fact!!!!
As far as Lunar lites go, as far as I am concerned they are for aesthetics. But, I have seen them on a few peoples tanks, and they are pretty cool, great for that late nite spying session!!
I hope I am helping you out here, I feel bad in a way because of the cost of good lighting!!!!! I have been there too.

Wow! I'll keep saving my pennies...its going to take a lot of them! I'll do some research on the T5's and report back. And yes you are helping me and I appreciate it! I want to do this tank right and set myself up for a Long Term success with it!

[03sonicstang]

Well, after some research over the holiday, which I hope everyone had a good one, I think I'm leaning to the T5 Lamps. In particular the Nova Extreme 48” with (4) T5’s @ 54 Watts a piece. After looking into the T5 lights as apposed to MH I feel the benefits in energy consumption is a huge plus. My only thought is 216 Total Watts enough? Also any experiences with the Nova Extreme. They also call it a CurrentUSA brand but ion not sure. Thanks guys!


48" Nova Extreme 4x54 watt T5HO w/ 4 Lunar Lights: Premium Aquatics

[charlie]

If I am not mistaken, I think I read where somebody had that Nova try and burn up on them. Another guy (Samper) on here, just ordered some 48" coralvue fixtures from Premium Aquatics.
Check this thread for the info:
http://www.reefland.com/forum/diy/22...tml#post161228

We'll get something going for ya, just take your time and do it right the first time.

[03sonicstang]

OK; thanks for everyone’s input and patience thru my thought process! Well, I think I going to change gears again! My wife is willing to sacrifice her 400 Watt MH Indoor grow lamp, so my plan is to add the following reflector and off center it in my custom canopy. (About 48” total)

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~PF2637.html

Then change the Bulb to a 400 Watt 15000K MH
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~MB8713.html

Add 1 or 2 - 36” Compact Fluorescent
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CU01614.html or
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~ES53210.html

(Thoughts on (1) or (2) ????)

Then adding Lunar lights: I like these.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CU01652.html

Also plan on adding (2-3) 4” Fans for heat and new air circulation. ONE MAJOR QUESTION; I have a brace in the middle of my tank, if I off center the 400W it will be almost over the brace…will this cause structure damage to the plastic? Also how high should I plan to mount these lights in the canopy?

Thanks for your input and thoughts!

Tom

[Reefland]

Hi Tom,

The brace is a problem. I wouldn't want to place the halide over the brace at any height that is going to give you the intensity in the tank.

[03sonicstang]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Hi Tom,

The brace is a problem. I wouldn't want to place the halide over the brace at any height that is going to give you the intensity in the tank.

So if I put the MH to the left or right of the canopy with the reflector I should get good distrubution.....right? Then the MH will not be even close to the brace

[Reefland]

If you put in to the left or right of the brace, you are only going to get good lighting on the one side; in this case it is going to take 2 halides to completely cover the tank.