Which brand of power compact?

[tfish]

I need an inexpensive PC to replace my bulky shop lights. I have a low-tech 55 gallon and am looking for something that will give me around 2W/G -- so probably just something with 2x55w or 2x65w. I am looking at a Coralife, JBJ, All-Glass and possibly an inexpensive JEBO. Your thoughts or experience?

 

[Harlock]

I can comment on the Coralife. I own one, (a 24 inch 1 x 65W) and am pleased as punch with it. I recommend it if it's in your price range. It's designed well. Aluminum housing dissipates heat well (and there is not detectable heat in the tank to speak of, my heaters still come on) and the acrylic cover over the light is really handy if you simply want to place the strip over an open top.

 

[Blinky]

I've got a GE fixture and a Satellite, very pleased with both. There are links to info about both in my my specs page if you'd like more info, click on my sig. link.
The Satellite is well made, has a fan, aluminum housing, and separate switches/cords for the fan, moonlight, and each bulb (so you can have each bulb on a separate timer if you like). The GE comes with fabulous bulbs (GE 9325K) that the plants seem to love.

 

[mcps95]

I second the recommendation for the Coralife. I have the FW version of the 48" 2x65W. This model has no fan, making it completely silent, and is extremely well built.

Skip the All-Glass. It's HUGE and is cheaply made. I sent mine back immediately after opening the box and purchased the Coralife instead. Very happy I did!

Be sure to get the FW version (green box) of the Coralife strip light. The SW version (orange/red box) has 50/50 bulbs which won't be effective for a FW tank, and you'll end up having to replace them with rather pricey bulbs.

Mike

 

[Kissofthegorami]

Coralife would be the "eheim canister" of the lighting world. If you can afford it, get it. Satellite is good too. All glass and GE are ok. Jebo are cheapest and at the bottom.

 

[Blinky]

I actually chose my Satellite over a Coralife fixture specifically because of the lack of fan and moonlight - my 96W PC bulbs put out a fair amount of heat, much more than the 55s, and I'm very glad I got a fixture with separate switches for each bulb, an aluminum housing and a fan. Unfortunately, I can't really use the moonlight because the centre brace blocks it
All these fixtures work, I think it's largely a matter of preference concerning the smaller details.

 

[tfish]

Thanks so much for your replies! After some further research, AND your wonderful insights, I think I will end up going with the Coralife. The Satellite was a close second, but I have to say that I am not a fan of ... well, the fan! I don't think it will be really that necessary with a 2x65 and I am trying to keep as much light in the tank as possible. (With the shoplights I've been using, I am tired of seeing lights everywhere but inside of my tank!) Besides, when I looked into getting a new filter, I could go with nothing less then an eheim canister, so if coralife is the eheim's lighting equivalent...well, need I say more?

Anyhow, I had a few quick questions about it. Right now I just have a shoplight with 2 40W bulbs @ 6500K each and the 2 wimpy 15W strips the tank came with. How much brighter should I expect my new Coralife to be? (BTW, I plan on getting the freshwater version which comes with 6700K lamps.) The second question is kind of silly. In the pictures, the hood looks like a gold/bronze color. Is that what it really is? In some other pictures, it looks silver. Anyone have pics to share? Thanks so much!

 

[Captain Hook]

If you want to build some kind of wooden canopy for it, I think www.ahsupply.com is worth looking into.

 

[scottracy]

CORALIFE is a good choice. I use them on 3 of my tanks. I run a 2 X 65W, 4 X 65W and a 2 X 9W. The color is a very subdued metallic color. Take a look at my tank specs for pics. The 2 X 9W is black. Bigals has the best prices for CORALIFE. Good luck!

 

[Swimfins]

Thanks so much for your replies! After some further research, AND your wonderful insights, I think I will end up going with the Coralife. The Satellite was a close second, but I have to say that I am not a fan of ... well, the fan! I don't think it will be really that necessary with a 2x65 and I am trying to keep as much light in the tank as possible. (With the shoplights I've been using, I am tired of seeing lights everywhere but inside of my tank!) Besides, when I looked into getting a new filter, I could go with nothing less then an eheim canister, so if coralife is the eheim's lighting equivalent...well, need I say more?

Anyhow, I had a few quick questions about it. Right now I just have a shoplight with 2 40W bulbs @ 6500K each and the 2 wimpy 15W strips the tank came with. How much brighter should I expect my new Coralife to be? (BTW, I plan on getting the freshwater version which comes with 6700K lamps.) The second question is kind of silly. In the pictures, the hood looks like a gold/bronze color. Is that what it really is? In some other pictures, it looks silver. Anyone have pics to share? Thanks so much!

I recommend the Jebo. Mine was inexpensive, comes without a fan, and I can grow anything under this light. Myrophilium (difficult) is responding an inch a week. I have 4x 10000K bulbs. I alsu use a 40 watt strip that I had on hand. You can buy a cheap 2 bulb strip at walmart, that will fit the top along with the jebo. You can up your wattage for less than 100US dollars. Its a bargain. I don't need fans. My jebo seldom gets hotter than warm to touch, its slim, compact and I don't see why you should pay more. The jebbo is 220 watt total. A light strip with an extra bulb is optional if you want higher watts. On a 55g, th 220 watt should be fine.