Coral Life 48"

[wstadnick]

Hello,

Currently have a 50 gallon tank, 48 x 12 width, and running 2 t12, think there 18's. It's the blue/white mixed into one bulb type, currently running a fowler.

Was of the bulbs half burnt out, only either the white or the blue working in one of them. Was thinking it may be a good time to upgrade my lighting system.

Was thinking of :

Coralife 48 Inch AquaLight T5 HO Fixture (2-54W)

It's just a dual 48". Just wondering if it would be ok, and what i could run / keep with it?

[Parrothead]

If you are keeping on a fowlr tank, that light will be fine, if you plan on moving up to a reeftank, I'd go ahead and get the 4 bulb fixture now, and save the upgrade later down the road. JMHO

[twisted]

If you are keeping on a fowlr tank, that light will be fine, if you plan on moving up to a reeftank, I'd go ahead and get the 4 bulb fixture now, and save the upgrade later down the road. JMHO

+1 i dont know many people that have FOWLR tanks that keep them that way for long. most of us start adding corals soon enough. the fever catches quickly

[wstadnick]

Good point. I'll try and stick to a 4+ bulb fixture then.

There someone selling one used around where i'm at. It's a Hopar, he doesn't know the model number, but it's 48" with 6 bulbs.

I've read online a little just in Hopar general, and some say there alright, some say there poop. Anyone have any experience with them on here?

I'm also going to the LFS after work to talk to them about possibly ordering a new.. what the price would be.. and if they have any used ones.

[wstadnick]

Hello all,

Went into the LFS yesterday and was talking to him about lights. It would cost about 480.00 cdn out the door for 4 light t5's. But would only cost me 400 cdn for 2 - 2 bulb t5 fixtures. Is there anything wrong with going 2 - 2 bulb t5's?

[Parrothead]

Hello all,

Went into the LFS yesterday and was talking to him about lights. It would cost about 480.00 cdn out the door for 4 light t5's. But would only cost me 400 cdn for 2 - 2 bulb t5 fixtures. Is there anything wrong with going 2 - 2 bulb t5's?

Check this out, contact them if it doesn't show shipping cost to Can., it would be worth the look.


Current USA Nova Extreme T5HO

[wstadnick]

What do you guys think about this type of light?

T5 Lighting Aquarium Marine Reef 48" 4x 54 Watts Bulbs on eBay.ca (item 110581354679 end time 02-Oct-10 16:26:15 EDT)

Anyone ever buy of ebay, any horror stories?

[Original Fin]

What do you guys think about this type of light?

T5 Lighting Aquarium Marine Reef 48" 4x 54 Watts Bulbs on eBay.ca (item 110581354679 end time 02-Oct-10 16:26:15 EDT)

Anyone ever buy of ebay, any horror stories?

I wouldn't. The seller is pretty open about the fact that there is no warranty, and no refunds. Says you may exchange defective equipment (Except free items, and in this case, they are calling all the bulbs free items) at the sellers discretion, which basically means he can just say, ehh, I don't feel like it. The fact that the seller has positive feback, does not outweigh any of this in my mind.

Be real careful about no-name equipment. Seems to good to be true, probably is. You can't even buy four good quality bulbs for what this seller is asking for the whole fixture.
For a FOWLR, I'd maybe take a shot at it. Losing your lighting won't crash a FOWLR. If it craps out on you and the seller won't back you, oh well...you learned a $150 lesson. For a reef, you need more peace of mind than that. If your light fixture sh**'s the bed, all you can do is hope your local fish store has one in stock, and be prepared to shell out the cash immediately for it, or else you could crash the tank. So if you're wanting to keep your options open to do a reef down the road, I'd pass on this. I'd say plan on spending at least $200 to light a tank of this size, and that's just going to get you something that's so-so. The one Parrot reccomends is a better choice though.

[vyouravi]

I bought what I believed to be a sweet deal on a 400W MH fixture off ebay once. It worked awesome for about a month then the bulb melted on the top. I ordered another bulb bc I thought the bulb must have been faulty and in about another month the second one melted in the same place. The light retractor wans't just refracting, it was reflecting the heat right back to its source. Crap design. Not so sure ebay is where you want to buy a light.