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Lighting

2K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  wake49 
#1 ·
So I've read around and asked a ton of questions around about lights and can't seem to find a good answer. I'm not looking for anything super fancy or something like that, most likely just compact flourescents or whatever some of you may have to reccomend for my 46 bowfront that i'm hoping to set up a reef in. The only thing in mind for me now is this which my dad stumbled across.

Aquarium Lighting: Coralife Lunar Aqualights Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights
 
#2 ·
I like it, but don't love it for a reef. You could get more wattage from a Nova Extreme Pro, plus more color variety. Although those Compact Flourescents are the most energy conservative, the T5HO's are not far behind in effiency.

I feel that you would get better penetration from that T5 unit as opposed to PC's.
 
#3 ·
Although you can keep a reef under these lights, i would recommend the nova, but would also recommend MH, if you can go that route (that's my personal pref). Nove extreme is great and saves energy and...

Wake, i was fairly certain that T5's save more energy then PC? Now you have me curious... thanks!
 
#5 ·
Wake, i was fairly certain that T5's save more energy then PC? Now you have me curious... thanks!
sorry, you're right kells. I had this backwards in my mind. Startup cost is less with PC's, while overall efficiency is better in T5HO's, saving you money over the life of the unit.

T5HO's by nature of design penetrate deeper and use more of the bulbs light, considering that in most PC construction, two bulbs are usually in the same base. Therefore, some of the light radiated by the PC bulb is blocked by it's twin, right next to it.

I know you don't want to spend the $300 for the NE Pro, but you'll be happier in rue long run. T5HO's are my personal favorite, but Kells is right. If you can afford MH, go for it. I would probably buy the AquaticLife HID/T5 unit of I could afford it. It's all inclusive, and boasts running cooler than traditional MH.

(I'm posting from my phone. I will provide a link to that HID light if you like when I get to a computer. Let me know.)
 
#7 ·
That AquaticLife T5HO Fixture looks like a nice fixture. It appears to have individual reflectors, or at least two sets of contoured reflectors. The buikt in timer and single power cord are nice features. I personally think the 6 bulb T5HO (Nova Extreme Pro) will provide better output for a reef tank.

If you go T5HO, especially the 156 watt models, I would have to reccommend LPS and Softies. If you truly have to have SPS, keep them high in the tank, but more importantly make sure that your water is pristine. 400-450 ppm Calium, 8-12 dKH Alkalinity, 8.3 pH, 1.024-1.026 s.g., and 0 ppm Nitrate, Nitrite and Ammonia.

The AquacticLife HID/T5HO Fixture is a little out of your price range, but it looks like a superior unit to me.
 
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