Power Compact Buying Question

R

Ramirez

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Oct 1, 2003
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I'm looking to put 130 Watts (2x65W) of power compact lighting over my 55 gallon. Right now I have 2 wpg of regular fluorescent bulbs, but most of my plants are showing signs of inadequate lighting. I realize that I will only be going to about 2.5 wpg, but pc is supposed to have greater lumen intensity and I don't want to get up to 3wpg for maintenance sake.

Anyway, I'm looking at the Coralife 130W or the JBJ 130W. The JBJ comes with a fan installed, the Coralife does not. Any advice on which one to buy? Is the fan necessary at that wattage? Even if the fan is silent now I imagine eventually it will start making noise.

Let me know what you guys think as to which one to get and also where to buy it.

Thanks
 
If you're not afraid of a little DIY work, the kits from www.ahsupply.com are great. The instructions that you can order for free are quite helpful in constructing the canopy. I'm all thumbs when it comes to DIY work, but even my light canopy turned out well. The amount of money I spent on my 4x55watt kit probably couldn't even buy me half of that at my LFS. The people there are very friendly, and their service is top notch.

-Richer
 
Coralife Power Compact Aqualight Retrofit 4X65Watt for $186.00
Ahsupply 4x55Watt $200.95

I didn’t look at the shipping but it will factor into it. I like the coral life a bit better with it being easer to install. You could put it on a small set of draw side things to move the light out of the way for matinees.


But he’s looking at 130 watts so I would get the 2x55watt kit form ahsupply. It would be a lot cheaper for him.


Ahh I didn’t look at the prices before.
 
don't bother with the fans, your right, over time they will get noisy, also they are completely useless.
if you have your lights up 3" off your tank then heat is not going to be an issue.
Plus the fans are so insanely tiny that they do nothing at all...

Also I'd go with a 4x55 rather than 2x65, but thats just me
Good luck
 
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