[slicedsmoke]

Ok, I have a 125 gallon tank that has been setup for over 6 months with no corals. I am just using the standard lighting that came with the tank. I have several fish and they are doing terrific, But im wanting to try my hand at corals now. I have been looking at zoo corals and I really like them I would love to start with them first. And maybe some pom pom coral.

So my question is what kind of lighting should i invest in. I don't have a canopy so a retrofit would prolly not work for me. And I cant hang any metal halide lights cause it would look bad in my living room.

Should I go with something like this?

ODYSSEA 72" 384W Aquarium Power compact light+6 Lunar - (item 300139249536 end time Aug-13-07 11:39:19 PDT)

Or do I have to go with metal halide to see any growth at all.

Also im curious can I just use a T5 lighting unit?

I would like to have something that mimics the way that the ocean is. With the daylight bulbs and actinics and lunar.

PLEASE someone help me, Im confused and need a little guidance. Thanks in advance!!



Im open to anything, just dont want to break the bank.

[glampka]

You certainly can go with the T-5 lights. Just be sure to get one that has individual reflectors for each bulb. They return more light to the tank than the one with 1 large reflector. They run cooler than the MH so heat won't be as much of an issue. The bulbs also last longer than MH. If you have big $$$ to spend, check out the LED lights. Mattfish has them & loves them.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

If I was going to use a factory built fixture this is the one i would buy.It is designed to set right on top of the tank,it comes with a bulb cover,cooling fans and exactly the right reflectors.I believe it is the fixture that all the big boys in lighting will be trying to copy in the future.Aquactinics LLC | Marine Aquarium Lighting Specialists

[Dustin1300]

I just got a light system off of ebay and although it does have hallides it has raised the temperature just a few degrees...Here is a system that is the same brand but larger than what I just got...
VHO 60" 1072W Metal Halide Reef light Aquarium Lighting - (item 120149175394 end time Aug-13-07 15:13:06 PDT)

[Dustin1300]

Also, the room I have it in runs at about 70-72 degrees so that is probably a large factor here with heat issues...

[SweeTang22]

id spend the money on a t-5 ho. i have a power compact and there not that great. i regret getting it to some degree. they work great but the bulbs are very spendy and for the amount of time mine are one they will need to be replaced in about 7 months. way sooner then the t-5 which tend to last a few years i think!

[ckwatson]

I have heard that some of the new lights on the marked are over kill and some times too much for the fish and coral. Is this a problem with the light of just getting lights that are too strong for the tank. also i am starting a 35 gallon soon any help on lighting would be great. i would like to stay under $200 if it can be done.

[alwmalon4]

If you want to stay under $200 then this is the site for you...Lightings
I bought their 24" MH system and I am VERY happy with it. I have had no problems with overheating in my tank (it stays around 78 degrees), and my coral love it. The light is a little strong for my 30 gallon tank but I raised it up to arond 8-10 in. and it works like a dream.

[dfurbee]

I got my pc lights on aquatraders. They work fine for my zoos, and soft corals, and anemones. You need stronger lights for SPS corals.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

At 179$'s for a fixture it doesnt seem like you could go wrong.The bulbs for the unit will cost more than that.Caveat emptor(sp)

[christopherkeene9]

Looking for another opinion as with everything in involving an aquarium. But would I be able to fit this light unit:

48" 260W (4-65 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture - 501031

Into my canopy:



Which has 6 1/4" clearance between the top of the canopy and the top of the aquarium.

[e_baer]

yes, i htink you can fit that unit in there. i have that unit.

[christopherkeene9]

Can you tell me alot of info on it:

Do you notice alot of temp change with it?

Any thing else?

[Dustin1300]

I'm not trying to say it's a bad unit or anything but my local LFS had sold one of these odyssea units to a customer and they brought it back and after taking it apart it has some loose connections that started a small fire in the unit...It might have been a freak accident but just on a cautionary note I'd get some others feedback before you make the investment...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Once again I will say,if it sounds to good to be true,it probably is.For that price it either has to be junk or stolen lol.

[Dustin1300]

I was not saying it was junk but I'd just rather someones house not burn down to save 100-200 dollars...

[slicedsmoke]

what do you guys think of this light?


36'' 228 Watt Aquarium Light Metal Halide T5 FreeShip - (eBay item 300154119429 end time Sep-29-07 10:33:03 PDT)

[NATIVEVAMAN]

The thing that bothers me about the unit is it fails to mention who made it,you have to wonder why.

[WhiteNgold]

sattelite(i think thats how u spell it) makes a wonderful light for under $200. its not on ebay. try ur LFS

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

The thing that bothers me about the unit is it fails to mention who made it,you have to wonder why.

2shay. Its like all the steroids coming from china. Everyone thinks there a chemist. The are all making HDH in there bath tubs. Same thing with the light, Some random factory from China made from whoever can do it the cheapest. People should think twice.

[e_baer]

I have an odysea light from aquatradersm and it works fine. the only thing is, is that it doesnt have a built in fan, so it runs a little warm. but, 10$ from aquatraders can fix that too lol.

[slicedsmoke]

lol, so stay away from the china junk? Wow think about that for one minute. If everyone listened to that advice wal mart would be out of business.

[dhboyd1]

I have those lights and haven't had a moments problem with them. They work as advertised. They are made by a consortium consisting of Canadian, Hong Kong and Chinese corporations. Like any lighting they may increase temperatures in your tank but I solved that by buying a small (8") desktop fan and mounting it so that it blows across the top of the tank. It is hooked up to the daytime timer so it comes on when the 12K lights come on. My tank temp stays around 77 degrees and that is pretty good for Florida in the daytime. If I would have had the money I would have gotten t5's but it is always about money and we do what we can.

[e_baer]

if only we were all rich!