If you do please post pictures when you get it, I would be interested to see what its like as I may also buy one for my tank in the future.
Best T5 HO fixtures?
- Thread starter Experiment397
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If you do please post pictures when you get it, I would be interested to see what its like as I may also buy one for my tank in the future.
I'd be real leary of a cheap lighting system by a compny named Best Price - you get what you pay for, it could be and probably is a complete waste of $200. You can most definately get Power Compact 4 pin bulbs @ 420/460nm and 10,000k, problem with the PC's is the PAR's - insufficient Parabalic Alumized Reflectors that don't generate enuff Photosynthetic Active Radiation for most large softies, LPS, and All SPS corals + ornimental Clams. With the exception of most Gorganians and a few LPS, corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthallae algae. This algae is one of the most important food sources for corals. These algaes need proper PAR from lighting and will not grow or survive without it.
I agree you do mostly get what you pay for, however I would not pay $4-500 for a T5 light I would go LED instead. There is a huge thread on RC about LED's from China and people have had success with them.
I'm looking at aquaticlife myself for my tank. I have a coralife t5 fixture just 2 bulbs looking to upgrade to another fixture. You can check out Doctors Foster & Smith free shipping over $49.
Call catalina aquarium in california google there website I bought four fixtures from them good price fast shipping
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I've decided not to do a reef tank anymore. Just a fowlr so I'm now looking at just a simple 2 or 4 bulb fixture. The issue is finding one that fits a 72" tank. I would love to do some led panels if I could and ive been looking at some that I could use since I don't need them to grow corals.
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From my experience working in 2 fish stores and for an aquarium maintenance company I can say these things:
I don't believe "Current" is still the same company. I thought they were bought by someone else. However I do like their fixtures.
I also have the 4-bulb PC fixture from Odyssea. I like it a lot! I run it on 1/2 capacity (2 out of 4 bulbs) for my densely-planted 55g tank.
As for good brands of T5's, I'd have to say that I would go for an ATI or a Wave Point. Both grow corals well. I have done well with Coralife fixtures too, but many people hate them. Just stay away from the brand "Deep Blue". Even if you get their cheap fixture, at least replace their bulbs cuz they suck.
I have seen excellent things from LED fixtures, but most people who have tried them go back to halides or T5's. I've seen and heard that while the LED fixtures can definitely keep corals alive and happy (plus they look cool), they simply don't grow corals as well as the other 2 options.
But I digress, if you just want to do a FOWLR I recommend whatever fits your budget. Personally I like Coralife's 2-bulb standard output t5 fixtures. They're small, sleek, and very cheap. Don't expect it to last more than 6 or 7 years, but two 36" ones will run you about $100. The bulbs cost 15-20 so the entire fixture with bulbs costs little more than the bulbs themselves. The saltwater one comes with 1 10,000K bulb (white) and one actinic blue bulb. The freshwater one has a 6,700K ("daylight") and a colormax bulb.
I don't believe "Current" is still the same company. I thought they were bought by someone else. However I do like their fixtures.
I also have the 4-bulb PC fixture from Odyssea. I like it a lot! I run it on 1/2 capacity (2 out of 4 bulbs) for my densely-planted 55g tank.
As for good brands of T5's, I'd have to say that I would go for an ATI or a Wave Point. Both grow corals well. I have done well with Coralife fixtures too, but many people hate them. Just stay away from the brand "Deep Blue". Even if you get their cheap fixture, at least replace their bulbs cuz they suck.
I have seen excellent things from LED fixtures, but most people who have tried them go back to halides or T5's. I've seen and heard that while the LED fixtures can definitely keep corals alive and happy (plus they look cool), they simply don't grow corals as well as the other 2 options.
But I digress, if you just want to do a FOWLR I recommend whatever fits your budget. Personally I like Coralife's 2-bulb standard output t5 fixtures. They're small, sleek, and very cheap. Don't expect it to last more than 6 or 7 years, but two 36" ones will run you about $100. The bulbs cost 15-20 so the entire fixture with bulbs costs little more than the bulbs themselves. The saltwater one comes with 1 10,000K bulb (white) and one actinic blue bulb. The freshwater one has a 6,700K ("daylight") and a colormax bulb.
