Lighting Dilema?

[rickm]

Years ago when I set up my 110 gl(very deep tank) I squeaked buy with putting in a VHO kit into my canopy.I can't remember how many lights I had but I knew I was pushing my luck with such a deep tank.
Now that I'm starting over with a 55 gl and I see I have a few more choices than I had back then,I'm really at a loss as to which choice to go with.
Things are on order and unfortunately back order and I need to think about lighting choices.
I was all set to go with a complete fixture, the CoralLife PC 4 65 watt bulbs with 10000k and actinic03 plus moonlights for around 250.00 sounded good and fit my budget.I plan mostly soft corals and some LPS and maybe a clam. Now I'm reading that not many seem to like the PC lights.I'd like the MH combo fixture but at 650.00 I can't see spending that kind of money.I've also seen some T5 lighting fixtures at around 500.00.
So to make a long story short I don't know what to get this time?
Rick

[Guido]

Well, I'm going to be honest with you. I don't have much experience, or even have my tank setup yet for that matter, but, there is one thing i know. It's better to spend 700 now and know for sure you got the required lighting you could need for any kind of coral or life in your tank, instead of spending 250 now, and then finding out later on down the road you need a better type of lighting. I've been told it's better to spend the extra money up front (for the start up) then it is to just try to "squeek" by, because you will/might end up upgrading later on down the road and just spending more. I'll see if I can find some cheap lighting fixtures and post here that might be a good choice for a 55g. But, before you take my advice, wait for graphixx, or dakar or someone with a little more experience.

[Guido]

Now I'm not completely sure if this would be sufficient lighting for what your looking for but it's 8x54w T5HO lights with lunar lights. It's about 475. Heres a link to check it out if you want. http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_fluorescent_current_usa_nova_ext reme_t5_high_output_ho_lunar.asp?CartId=

But if i was you, i would go with 2x250w + 2x54x for about 700. It might cost you more now, but could save you money in the long run. (thats the lighting I'm going with). Its fully assembled to. It's the aqua medic ocean light T5/MH combo series.

Hope this helps.

[jerryc]

Will ill say if it weir me id go with metal halide i run 2*175 works good for
almost anything you wont to keep.
You can build a canap

[dakar]

Does your tank have a canopy (or will it)? If so being and being a big DIY nut, I'd suggest retro fitting, it can knock of a big chunk of change and get you right to halides.

[jerryc]

#ed_op#P#ed_cl#
Does your tank have a canopy (or will it)? If so being and being a big DIY nut, I'd suggest retro fitting, it can knock of a big chunk of change and get you right to halides.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#aha FOR ONE TIME I GOT AHEAD OF YOU#ed_op#IMG onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#C6D3EF';this.style.bo rder='1px solid #3169C6'; " style="BORDER-RIGHT: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #3169c6 1px solid; CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: #3169c6 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6d3ef" onclick="InsertImage('/richedit/smileys/7.gif');" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor=''; this.style.border=''" src="http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/smileys/7.gif" align=absMiddle#ed_cl# just had to do it i don't get to often#ed_op#IMG src="http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/smileys/Shocked/6.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[dakar]

At least we were both on the same track...

Only thing I'd add is for a new install the cost difference between 175's and 250's is small if any. May open up more choices for bulbs too.

[jerryc]

#ed_op#P#ed_cl#
At least we were both on the same track... #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Only thing I'd add is for a new install the cost difference between 175's and 250's is small if any. May open up more choices for bulbs too.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#And UPGRADING #ed_op#IMG onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#C6D3EF';this.style.bo rder='1px solid #3169C6'; " style="BORDER-RIGHT: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #3169c6 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #3169c6 1px solid; CURSOR: pointer; BORDER-BOTTOM: #3169c6 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c6d3ef" onclick="InsertImage('/richedit/smileys/7.gif');" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor=''; this.style.border=''" src="http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/smileys/7.gif" align=absMiddle#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[perpetual98]

The problem with a 55G tank is that they're so narrow front to back. To be honest, I think you could get away with an Icecap 4x54W retro with the Icecap 660 ballast. It overdrives the bulbs and is MEGA bright. I've got that running over one of my 120G tanks and it's almost TOO bright.

[zoo-a-holic]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I agree with perpetual88, there isnt enough depth in the 55 gallons. What are you planning to have in the tank??#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[perpetual98]

Another option would be a 2x150 or 2x175 halide setup with some PC or T5 of VHO supplementation if you needed that.

[rickm]

First of all I don't want to deal with another canopy, the one I had on my last tank was a pain .That's why I was going the complete fixture route with the legs to raise it off the tank.I did the kit(DIY) with VHO in my canopy last time.
My first post indicated what I was leaning towards as for as corals in my tank.I'm just finding it hard to justify close to 700.00 for a MH combo fixture.I've surfed the internet and the Current USA Outer Orbit fixture seems to be the better deal. I've heard both good and bad about them.

[rickm]

Actually I thinking about this setup at http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CU011239.

[rickm]

Sorry the link didn't work.It was the Current USA 48in Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights at MarineDepot. for 488.85.

[dakar]

Didn't realize you'd had a bad experience with a canopy and such before, your first post stated softies and maybe a clam, that suggested both ends of the spectrum, lower and much higher light demanding animals, that is what may have thrown things off a bit.

Unless you are working on a large package deal where they will eat the shipping (sometime we can get lucky) you might want to take at look at hellolights... they are almost always cheaper priced for lighting stuff... $20 or so cheaper on those particular fixtures. Not a tremendous savings but a few bucks here and there add up quickly in this never ending hobby. They're customer service has been great.

[dakar]

ah.... it sent me to the coralife fixtures... hence my link to them

http://www.hellolights.com/pfo8t5po.html similiar product 8x54 for 335ish

[rickm]

Thanks for the link, but I see Hellolights has some very high shipping costs.When you add the cost of bulbs(8 x 30.00) to that 338.00 it becomes a little more expensive.
I guess I'll figure something out, unfortunately my tank is 13" wide and a lot of these fixtures are 14" to 15" wide.Not sure how there going to fit.
Rick

[dakar]

Wow, didn't see the bulb cost wasn't included, changes the costs significantly. Not to mention PFO's stuff is always really high.

The narrow tanks are such a PITA for some things, that's one of the reason's we took down our 55 long... but then again it's filled and cycling again now for as frag tank. But this time it'll have a DIY type fixture that will be attatched the ceiling via some compound pulleys so Angel can raise and lower it to work in there. Hopefully it just be to add and remove frags and such.

[rickm]

Actually MarineDepot has free shipping on there Captive Sun MH fixture.It comes with 2 175 watt 5500K MH bulbs that can be upgraded to 10000K, also comes with 2 VHO bulbs.With the10000K upgrade and VHO's it 's only 601.00 shipped. Plus it's 11.5" wide and should fit better over my tank if I could find some legs.I wish the Corallife adjustable legs that allow the light fixture to swivel 90 degree's up and out of the way would work.I think from what I've read that they make them to just fit on there light fixtures.

[rickm]

Wow I just found aquatraders.com and can't believe the prices on there 48" MH combo fixture.Approx Fixture Size: 48"L x 11.5"W x 3.5"H

Odyssea metal halide system comes with:

non corrosive powder coated housing
built-in cooling fans
an external remote ballast with three separate on/off switches controlling HQI, compact fluorescent, and LED separately
tempered glass splash guard
hanging kit and mounting brackets FREE items include two 150W double ended HQI 20000K & two 96W compact fluorescent bulb actinic blue & six LED bluemoon night light
All for just 279.00!!!!

[dakar]

The Odysea fixtures and stuff are fairly new to the market, haven't heard much about them. I few people with PC units and have been pleased so far. But I think more importantly haven't heard any horror stories or anything bad about them. If you go that route be sure to let us know your opinions. The price sounds good.

[jerryc]

Thea are a lot cheaper and have fair revues but most of their staff has only a 30 day warranty i thank Thea sail a extra 6 month warranty on some of it
Just may be Worth taking a chance on at the deference in $$$

Thea are the old jebco company

[rickm]

I haven't had a chance to finish reading all there is about these as it's a 30 page thread on RC.I have read that these are as you say the former Jebo co.It's a price to good to be true and pass up.So far with what I've read most have been pleased with it.