Coralife

SKAustin

We hope to be starting up our 55 gallon reef in only a few months. I've been looking at a few different Coralife products ie. 48" deluxe lunar aqualight, and appropriately sized venturi needle wheel skimmer. anyone had experience with their products? or heard any positives/negatives about them?

usmc121581

For the 48" light. I've heard more negative then positive. I heard that the ballest will burn out quick and they would have to keep replacing them. But then when I moved to maryland I've heard nothing but goods things. So I guess it would be a 50/50 for me. As for the skimmer I heard they are good, but never used it for myself, I am looking in to one myself.

caferacermike

Iused to think Coralife was some really good stuff, mainly because the prices were high. I've since learned that they are made by the same people that make Jebo/Oddysea. Coralife is made to a persons specs in a Chinese factory. The factory adapted some of the stuff Coralife wanted and made a cheaper version that the factory sells. The lights are not very good quality for the money. Current seems to be a much better company if you want a fixture. Also try Sunlight Supply for some top notch gear. The skimmers are really really big and intrusive. keep that in mind. I've seeen a few running, they do work well for hte money but you will see pieces and parts dangling all over the tank. the parts also look cheap, like Fluval. Cheap bendable flex hose and adapters to prevent kinking because the hose is cheap.

SKAustin

OK then, Any suggestions on alternatives within a similar budget (or less)

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, I would like to house the skimmer in a wet/dry sump. Basically, I know nothing about the brands of any of the equipment I will need to convert a 55 gallon FW to a SW reef. So Please feed me any info and suggestions youve got. I need to have all of my ducks in a row before february.

usmc121581

Go with the current. My current fixture which I just recently gutted cst me $325 for a 48". It is 265 watts comes with 1 fan 2 10,000 65watt and 2 Actinics 65 watts and 2 luner lights. I fixture is very good. I have found them on the internet very way cheaper then that. It is called the current dual sattelite.

caferacermike

I second Current. I'll also add Sunlight supply. Hellolights.com and there is a guy on ebay selling some nice products really cheap. USMC do you still have that link I shot you? Oh wait I found him. http://stores.ebay.com/Aquarium-Ligh...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

This guy is putting together some nice stuff at affordable prices. My friend Kyle has ordered 4 lights from him. All are of reeally nice quality. Some bulbs were damaged in shipping. 1 week later new bulbs arrived. You'll need to look around his store for what you need as he has a ton of stuff.

If it was me I'd start with this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-T-5-HO-48-6X-...em250009902733

He is willing to customize as well. You want some MH's? No problem and affordable. You want some moonlights? How many? You want a custom ceiling kit, sure no problem.

jsm11482

I have the Coralife Deluxe Twintube + Moon LEDs and it is great so far. It gets really hot though!