Coralife light ?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I have this exact light on my 220G Mbuna tank. We got it about 5 yrs ago (not cheap then either) because we liked the way it looked. Bought the adjustable black legs & modified them to work with the glass canopies. The actinic (blue) lights are really for saltwater use so we swapped them out for the 50/50 bulbs. I had hoped they would allow me to grow plants in my tank but due to a tank height of 30", I had no success with even low light plants flourishing.

As of now, I am only using the 50/50 lights and I leave the moonlights on all the time, they give a nice shimmer effect at night. It is still a pricey light for your tank but it does look nice & is less obtrusive then the Perfecto light that came with the tank. I have replaced the original 4 fans with quieter ones because they were very noisy. Also be aware that the fans only come on when the front light switch is activated. I contacted Coralife by email & they recommend that the fans be on when any of the CF bulbs are on to dissipate the heat.

I can't answer your question regarding algae growth between this fixture & the T5. I have no problems with algae on this tank. My lights are on 10 hrs a day, 7 days a week. I have only had to replace 1 bulb that burned out last year.

Hope this helps.
 
That is more than enough light to grow tons of stuff.

An equivalent wattage T5HO fixture would be quite a bit brighter though.
T5HO bulbs are cheaper and last longer.
 
Thank you for taking the time to give me a review of actual experience. I have the 48" version and like it a lot but it doesn't look right (too small). I feel the lighting is the finishing touch to make a tank really stand out. I can't seen to find a fixture in 72" besides the ones made for Saltwater? Any one else?

deeda;3531612; said:
I have this exact light on my 220G Mbuna tank. We got it about 5 yrs ago (not cheap then either) because we liked the way it looked. Bought the adjustable black legs & modified them to work with the glass canopies. The actinic (blue) lights are really for saltwater use so we swapped them out for the 50/50 bulbs. I had hoped they would allow me to grow plants in my tank but due to a tank height of 30", I had no success with even low light plants flourishing.

As of now, I am only using the 50/50 lights and I leave the moonlights on all the time, they give a nice shimmer effect at night. It is still a pricey light for your tank but it does look nice & is less obtrusive then the Perfecto light that came with the tank. I have replaced the original 4 fans with quieter ones because they were very noisy. Also be aware that the fans only come on when the front light switch is activated. I contacted Coralife by email & they recommend that the fans be on when any of the CF bulbs are on to dissipate the heat.

I can't answer your question regarding algae growth between this fixture & the T5. I have no problems with algae on this tank. My lights are on 10 hrs a day, 7 days a week. I have only had to replace 1 bulb that burned out last year.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
 
The only thing different is that SW fixtures have actinic bulbs.
 
Ok, Thanks. I will post pictures of whatever I get to help others in the future. I know everyone hates the common questions (lighting, sump, overflow ect.) But I did a search on this forum and other and it didn't really help. Just confused me more:screwy:.

FSM;3531821; said:
The only thing different is that SW fixtures have actinic bulbs.
Click to expand...
 
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