Will this light work??

tsdpurdue

tsdpurdue

tsdpurdue
Feb 25, 2007
131
0
0
38
Indiana
I have a 55 gallon aquairum with about 60lbs of live rock. It is just a FOWLR right now and I am wanting to upgrade my light. i have been lookin around for lights and I was wondering what type of light will work. Im looking to get some different types of corals. I have been looking at this light:

Nova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixtures 48" x 8" Saltwater; 216 watt
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770

My budget is tight becuase I'm in college and this light looks like a good buy. Any opinions or other alternative would be greatly appreciated.
 
It would be tough to do some high light SPS corals like acros with that, but you can do lower light SPS like montis and pretty much do any LPS and softy with that light.
 
I can't comment on the quality of that particular fixture but having 4 T5 tubes with individual reflectors should give you quite a few options coral wise. Anything low to medium should do fine, maybe even medium-high corals if you have a high live rock bommie to put them up on. I know if I stuck that fixture over my 55g I'd have acroporas up top and I'd be pretty confident they would do okay, but I do like to push my corals light wise.

Personally I much prefer T5 lights to metal halide because they run a lot cooler and don't put as much heat into the tank. You can keep any type of coral under T5's its just a matter of how many tubes you have, and 4 is plenty to keep a range of corals.
 
While that fixture is decent, the bulbs that Current puts in their fixtures are mediocre at best. It might seem ok with the stock bulbs, but you will definitely notice a significant difference if you change them out for one of several other brands of bulbs (or a mix of those other brands) when the time comes to replace them.

If money is tight and you're looking to buy very soon, you may want to consider this fixture from HelloLights:
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1717
It's a clearance item that includes 4 bulbs, plus additional bulbs can be purchased at about 1/2 of the regular price if bought at the same time as the fixture. It is not designed to sit directly on top of the tank (i.e. no legs included), so you would have to craft something to hold it up, or purchase / DIY a hanging kit. Nonetheless, the price is lower than the fixture you linked to, while being generally equivalent IMO.
 
Do some searching on craigslist for a good setup. Search all the large cities. Most people are hurting for money and are unloading Sunpods and Outer Orbits for dirt cheap. Most are even willing to ship if you cover shipping. I just got a 48" 150w x 2 Sunpod for $250 shipped.
 
fsn77 said:
While that fixture is decent, the bulbs that Current puts in their fixtures are mediocre at best. It might seem ok with the stock bulbs, but you will definitely notice a significant difference if you change them out for one of several other brands of bulbs (or a mix of those other brands) when the time comes to replace them.

If money is tight and you're looking to buy very soon, you may want to consider this fixture from HelloLights:
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1717
It's a clearance item that includes 4 bulbs, plus additional bulbs can be purchased at about 1/2 of the regular price if bought at the same time as the fixture. It is not designed to sit directly on top of the tank (i.e. no legs included), so you would have to craft something to hold it up, or purchase / DIY a hanging kit. Nonetheless, the price is lower than the fixture you linked to, while being generally equivalent IMO.
Click to expand...

:werd: this a good light fixture for the money...I bought the 24" :D
tsdpurdue said:
How many watts would I need to keep anemones?
Click to expand...
The T5HO system should be good for bubble tips...please read up on anemones before you purchase they get quite big and need a tank that has been running at least 6 months :thm:
 
Blossom112, what are you thinking? That light you linked is 10x WORSE than the light the OP was asking about. His light is a 4 bulb T5HO fixture, yours is a 2 bulb Compact Floro fixture and his fixture is 1/2 the cost of the fixture you linked to! His light can most definately handle anemones, both Condy and bubble tips IMO, your light you linked can barely keep a condy alive. Seabaes and carpets would probably be a problem though with the T5s he listed, 6-8 bulb would be much better for those types of anemones, but most people want a BTA when starting out anyway.
 
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