Right lights for a 40g reef tank

Slip, I think you need to shop elsewhere.
At Aquarium Hobbyist:
2X96W kit (ballasts, refelectors, hardware): $115
2 bulbs: 2X$33
Total: $181
 
I was at one of the LFS's after work yesterday and after talking to the owner of the shop, I've pretty much decided to stick with PC's rather than MH's.

In fact, I'll most likely stick with the Coralife 192w dual strip for $185.00.

Mogurnda - In your opinion, would it be a better light if you were to buy the parts seperately rather than a complete unit? I know when I build computers I'd much rather spend the money on custom parts and build it myself. I know computers and aquarium lighting are worlds apart, but maybe the concept carries over...

Also, where do I locate lighting equipment on Aquarium Hobbyist to buy?
 
IT does not much matter if you buy cutom parts or a Corallife setup. They all are pretty much the same. Unles you go and by all the electronic components your self to build the ballast you will not reailze much of a savings.
 
I agree with gbolton. Corallife puts together hoods, with multiple ballasts and fans, for about the same price, or even less than, assembling it yourself. Unless it will be a source of pleasure or pride to build it yourself, I'd suggest buying the assembled unit.

I was just providing a different source for price comparisons. Aquairum Hobbyist Supply (http://www.ahsupply.com/) is a great source if you want to install PC lighting in an existing fixture.
 
Great thanks for the information. Any opinions on the quality of Coralife lights?
 
I'm now thinking about actually going with the Current USA Orbit 36" setup. For not much more than the Coralife setup, you get so much more and it looks like it's a nice quality unit that a lot of people are happy with.

Here's a link with more info on the product.
 
Actually, they're the same price, but marineandreef.com is located near San Diego, which is only a 1 day UPS drive for where I live so I'd probably go with them rather than buying from the other sources I found back east and in the mid west. Thanks for that link. I probably wouldn't have found that otherwise.
 
Originally posted by Nickeleye
Actually, they're the same price, but marineandreef.com is located near San Diego, which is only a 1 day UPS drive for where I live so I'd probably go with them rather than buying from the other sources I found back east and in the mid west. Thanks for that link. I probably wouldn't have found that otherwise.
Click to expand...

My Fault, Must of got on the wrong line for one of them. They are both the same.

Ray
 
Well, for what it's worth to anyone, I've now got my Current USA Orbit 192w lights (36"). So far I really like them even though I've got no life, rock, sand or even much water in the tank. The moon lights are great and the daylight and actinic lights look good.

My only concern was this:
When I first plugged in the lights and turned on the actinic pair... One of them was a really bright blue color and the other light didn't even seem to be on at all. I thought that it was just the light shining on the other bulb that gave it a slightly different color. So I called the store I ordered it from today and the sales rep. told me that one of the actinic bulbs should be a very bright blue and the other should be a dim purple color. So when I came home I put a piece of cardboard between the two bulbs and sure enough the presumed DOA bulb was working. So I guess it works after all, but should it really be so dim? I know flourescent lights either work or they don't, but is it possible that it's running dimmer than it should?

This being my first endevour into actinic lights, or saltwater lights in general, I'd love to know if I'm just being paranoid or if something is up. :rolleyes:
 
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