bang for the buck fixture?

bdirtdiver · 01/19/2007, 06:21 PM

i want to start a 20 gallon reef, would like to hear about 24" fixtures people use, that won"t break the bank, thanks

dustin323 · 01/19/2007, 07:57 PM

If you really want to go cheap here it is. http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=309

I have the 48" 260w PC one & so far it has held up fine.

RedEyeElf · 01/19/2007, 11:02 PM

anyone else tried these things?

sclones · 01/20/2007, 12:05 AM

These prices are good maybe to good. Has anyone else use any of these and if so for how long has it been running.

pjf · 01/20/2007, 06:30 AM

I think that you are better off with inexpensive T5 (~100 lumens per watt) fixtures than with PC (~60 lumens per watt) fixtures:

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...qualightT5.htm

The reflectors on these T5 fixtures are not the best but neither are PC reflectors.

moprint · 01/20/2007, 09:02 AM

go to commodityaxis.com and get 2 of there 24" helios t-5 ho light strips. they have individual reflectors and moisture resistant end caps. get an antic and a 10000k that will run about $50. these have built in ballasts and you throw them away instead of replacing them. just a thought.

RedEyeElf · 01/20/2007, 12:04 PM

not saying they were optimum, think you missed the point, it is almost 400w for acouple hundred bucks, i don't care if it's the t5 or not, I just meant, will the fixture run for more than a week or two before i have to have a tweaker friend try and rewire the thing

kodyboy · 01/20/2007, 12:09 PM

those fixtures are pretty crappy, I would avoid if possible. Maximum wattage is not as important as good spectrum bulbs, a decent ballast and good reflectors. T5s are FAR better than PCs and you would do better with less than half the wattage in T5s than PCs. Get a decent, as mentioned above, T5 fixture and you will not be dissapointed.

moprint · 01/20/2007, 12:41 PM

Redeye what fixture are you talking about? none of the links are to a 400 watt fixture. I have the 2 x 65 odyssea fixture that is linked. The legs are not very impressive, the fans are quiet, but one of mine quit. I have ordered a Coralife fixture to replace it. I didn't find the Helios T-5 HO until after I ordered the Coralife.

hahnmeister · 01/20/2007, 12:53 PM

Bang for the buck... I know it doesnt sound like it at first, but a 4x24watt Tek retrofit is the best bang for the buck... just get the Icecap SLR upgrade.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

If you want a fixture, not a retro, then a Tek 4x24wattT5 is the best bang for the buck. It will outdo the output from a 4x65wattPC fixture, its less than 100 watts, and the bulbs can give you a good year or two of service and average less than $20 per bulb. Just be sure to add a fan blowing across the bulbs.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_..._Fluorescents_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

bdirtdiver · 01/20/2007, 07:58 PM

the aquatraders deal was too good to be true!! out of stock!!

bigbenji · 01/20/2007, 08:38 PM

Odyssea light setups have horrible reviews. Search for them, you might try placing "fire" in the search as well.

01/19/2007, 06:21 PM	#1
bdirtdiver Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: key largo, fl keys Posts: 27	bang for the buck fixture? i want to start a 20 gallon reef, would like to hear about 24" fixtures people use, that won"t break the bank, thanks

01/20/2007, 06:30 AM	#5
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	Inexpensive T5 Fixtures I think that you are better off with inexpensive T5 (~100 lumens per watt) fixtures than with PC (~60 lumens per watt) fixtures: http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...qualightT5.htm The reflectors on these T5 fixtures are not the best but neither are PC reflectors.

01/20/2007, 08:38 PM	#12
bigbenji Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oak Harbor OH Posts: 1,200	Odyssea light setups have horrible reviews. Search for them, you might try placing "fire" in the search as well. __________________ "But Dad, it's shark week!" Ben Current Tank Info: I have tank envy.

01/19/2007, 07:57 PM	#2
dustin323 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA Posts: 389	If you really want to go cheap here it is. http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=309 I have the 48" 260w PC one & so far it has held up fine.

01/19/2007, 11:02 PM	#3
RedEyeElf Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 462	anyone else tried these things?

01/20/2007, 12:05 AM	#4
sclones Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Glendora Posts: 38	These prices are good maybe to good. Has anyone else use any of these and if so for how long has it been running.

01/20/2007, 09:02 AM	#6
moprint Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MO Posts: 270	go to commodityaxis.com and get 2 of there 24" helios t-5 ho light strips. they have individual reflectors and moisture resistant end caps. get an antic and a 10000k that will run about $50. these have built in ballasts and you throw them away instead of replacing them. just a thought.

01/20/2007, 12:04 PM	#7
RedEyeElf Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 462	not saying they were optimum, think you missed the point, it is almost 400w for acouple hundred bucks, i don't care if it's the t5 or not, I just meant, will the fixture run for more than a week or two before i have to have a tweaker friend try and rewire the thing

01/20/2007, 12:09 PM	#8
kodyboy Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,990	those fixtures are pretty crappy, I would avoid if possible. Maximum wattage is not as important as good spectrum bulbs, a decent ballast and good reflectors. T5s are FAR better than PCs and you would do better with less than half the wattage in T5s than PCs. Get a decent, as mentioned above, T5 fixture and you will not be dissapointed.

01/20/2007, 12:41 PM	#9
moprint Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MO Posts: 270	Redeye what fixture are you talking about? none of the links are to a 400 watt fixture. I have the 2 x 65 odyssea fixture that is linked. The legs are not very impressive, the fans are quiet, but one of mine quit. I have ordered a Coralife fixture to replace it. I didn't find the Helios T-5 HO until after I ordered the Coralife.

01/20/2007, 12:53 PM	#10
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Bang for the buck... I know it doesnt sound like it at first, but a 4x24watt Tek retrofit is the best bang for the buck... just get the Icecap SLR upgrade. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply If you want a fixture, not a retro, then a Tek 4x24wattT5 is the best bang for the buck. It will outdo the output from a 4x65wattPC fixture, its less than 100 watts, and the bulbs can give you a good year or two of service and average less than $20 per bulb. Just be sure to add a fan blowing across the bulbs. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_..._Fluorescents_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

01/20/2007, 07:58 PM	#11
bdirtdiver Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: key largo, fl keys Posts: 27	the aquatraders deal was too good to be true!! out of stock!!