does anyone know anything about lights?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

Jimmy16

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Feb 10, 2011
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Las vegas
i went to order a glass lid for my 60" by 30" by 30" aquarium today. ordered it for $45 + tax. asked the owner of the store how much a light fixture would cost and he gave me a quote of $90, quite expensive for a fixture and 1 light bulb. my other option is to look on craigslist, and i came across this, i'm sure if i talk to the guy i can lower the price on it a bit, but are these good lights? i'm looking at the 48" one. i'll see how much he is willing to let it go for.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/for/2383225515.html
 
Power compact is pretty good, but why not go with a 48" T5HO Fixture.

"Deep Blue" Makes a cheap one that has 2 54 watt(i think) T5 bulbs and 6 blue LED's new for around $110. IMO it will light your tank better than the power compacts.
 
I bought a cheapo ebay for $150ish, came with dual 12,000k which i replaced with 6700k, dual actenic, and led's. Mounted right to my 75gal and looks good. My 125 has one I built, with dual 6500k T12's, dual actenic's, and I'm still looking for LED's. I built the hood/lights myself, and used regular shop light fixtures. The setup cost me in the neighborhood of $150, but is an actual wood wall-y thing that goes around, has dual light fixtures, space for filters, etc.

Depends if you are planting or just fish and display, then light doesn't matter as much. Either way, I'd look to ebay as an option, I am quite happy with the 48" fixture I got for my 75g. 3 plugs on timers to make everything automatic. Lit up and pretty when I'm home, and dark and who cares for when I'm not, and I never have to touch a thing.
 
Gruntking;5139828; said:
Power compact is pretty good, but why not go with a 48" T5HO Fixture.

"Deep Blue" Makes a cheap one that has 2 54 watt(i think) T5 bulbs and 6 blue LED's new for around $110. IMO it will light your tank better than the power compacts.
Click to expand...

link me please >_< lol
 
would either one of these be sufficient to light up a 60"L by 30"W by 30"H tank?

48" Power Compact Lighting Fixture --- Has White 10,000K, Actinic Blue 420, plus night time blue LED lights, perfect for reef aquariums. $100.00

36" D.I.Y. T5 Lighting Fixture --- Has 1 White 10,000K and 1 Actinic Blue 420 Light. $50.00

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30" depth if you want to grow plants I'de go w/ a simple LED set-up. neither compacts or t5's will penetrate the depths you'll need for anything but the lowest light plants. If your not growing plants the t5 shoudl be fine unless you want to light your tank up like the strip at night.

some people love compacts. I've never owned one 'nore would spend my money on one. the bulbs ime are insanely expensive and now practically special order. most LFS stock T5's and LED fixtures now w/ a small array of t8 bulbs.
 
MonsterMinis;5140269; said:
30" depth if you want to grow plants I'de go w/ a simple LED set-up. neither compacts or t5's will penetrate the depths you'll need for anything but the lowest light plants. If your not growing plants the t5 shoudl be fine unless you want to light your tank up like the strip at night.

some people love compacts. I've never owned one 'nore would spend my money on one. the bulbs ime are insanely expensive and now practically special order. most LFS stock T5's and LED fixtures now w/ a small array of t8 bulbs.
Click to expand...

i don't plan on doing a planted tank. but would a 36" T5 be enough for a 60" long tank? i'm new at this and have no idea what to pay/look for... how much would you pay for that 36" DIY light fixture? i'm not looking for anything too expensive... the ones i see online are all $100+
 
MonsterMinis;5140269; said:
30" depth if you want to grow plants I'de go w/ a simple LED set-up. neither compacts or t5's will penetrate the depths you'll need for anything but the lowest light plants. If your not growing plants the t5 shoudl be fine unless you want to light your tank up like the strip at night.

some people love compacts. I've never owned one 'nore would spend my money on one. the bulbs ime are insanely expensive and now practically special order. most LFS stock T5's and LED fixtures now w/ a small array of t8 bulbs.
Click to expand...

Um, sorry, but you have some pretty serious LED to equal the light put out by T5HO. The vast majority of planted tank enthusiasts use T5HO still.

Here is a good quality new T5HO 48" fixture:
http://www.fishneedit.com/t5ho-4ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html

There are many other options. You could simply go to home depot and buy a "shop" light. You could order some LEDs online...
 
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