Coralife Aqulight HQI vs. Current Sundial

Strega · 08/20/2007, 03:12 PM

Currently I have a 20 long reef tank with some softies and a few LPS's and I want to upgrade my light. My light at present is the Current USA Dual Satellite 40w 10k and 40w actinic. The two fixtures I'm looking at are the Coralife Aqualight, 150w 14k clamp-on style and the Current USA Sundial 150w 10k w/ 32wx2 actinic bulbs. So what I guess I'm asking is does anyone have exp. with both or either. And are the HQI bulbs interchangeable between the two.

msn711 · 08/20/2007, 04:47 PM

I use the coralife clamp-ons. I hate the fans because they're noisy and don't accomplish anything. And the coralife bulbs are horrendous. But I switched for some phoenix bulbs, and everything has been great.

Strega · 08/20/2007, 06:31 PM

Yeah it looks like a good light but I don't know if I'll like going without actinics.

snulma1 · 08/20/2007, 08:20 PM

if you are looking at the coralife fixture, also look at the oddysea fixture. It is a coralife knockoff and is a lot cheaper. Plus its a 250w DE rather then 150.

Strega · 08/21/2007, 04:01 PM

I'll check it out thanx.

DarG · 08/21/2007, 04:40 PM

The Odyssea 250 watt ballast was measured to only produce 150 watts. It needs to be replaced right off the bat so you can run the 250 watt bulb at 250 watts or better.

I would consider the Current USA Sundial of the fixtures listed here. Having owned two Current USA fixtures, one being an Outer Orbit, I can tell you that the halide ballast used is of good quality and that overall, they are wired neatly, and well laid out internally. Decent fixtures overall. Biggest complaint is of fan noise on some of the fixtures. Mine were quiet.

Coralife has several complaints lately for no warranty support.

I have never owned the Odyssea but one does not have to own one to know that putting 150 watt capable ballasts that are labeled 250 watts in the 250 fixtures is a major red flag.

Strega · 08/21/2007, 05:07 PM

Yeah my Dual Satellite is great just need more wattage and the Sundial has an electronic ballast another plus. Plan on using the Satellitte on my refugium(DIY 10 gallon).

08/20/2007, 03:12 PM	#1
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Coralife Aqulight HQI vs. Current Sundial Currently I have a 20 long reef tank with some softies and a few LPS's and I want to upgrade my light. My light at present is the Current USA Dual Satellite 40w 10k and 40w actinic. The two fixtures I'm looking at are the Coralife Aqualight, 150w 14k clamp-on style and the Current USA Sundial 150w 10k w/ 32wx2 actinic bulbs. So what I guess I'm asking is does anyone have exp. with both or either. And are the HQI bulbs interchangeable between the two.

08/20/2007, 04:47 PM	#2
msn711 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Reynoldsburg, OH Posts: 974	I use the coralife clamp-ons. I hate the fans because they're noisy and don't accomplish anything. And the coralife bulbs are horrendous. But I switched for some phoenix bulbs, and everything has been great. __________________ Shay Current Tank Info: 120 Deep Blue Pro

08/20/2007, 06:31 PM	#3
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Yeah it looks like a good light but I don't know if I'll like going without actinics.

08/20/2007, 08:20 PM	#4
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	if you are looking at the coralife fixture, also look at the oddysea fixture. It is a coralife knockoff and is a lot cheaper. Plus its a 250w DE rather then 150.

08/21/2007, 04:01 PM	#5
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	I'll check it out thanx.

08/21/2007, 04:40 PM	#6
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	The Odyssea 250 watt ballast was measured to only produce 150 watts. It needs to be replaced right off the bat so you can run the 250 watt bulb at 250 watts or better. I would consider the Current USA Sundial of the fixtures listed here. Having owned two Current USA fixtures, one being an Outer Orbit, I can tell you that the halide ballast used is of good quality and that overall, they are wired neatly, and well laid out internally. Decent fixtures overall. Biggest complaint is of fan noise on some of the fixtures. Mine were quiet. Coralife has several complaints lately for no warranty support. I have never owned the Odyssea but one does not have to own one to know that putting 150 watt capable ballasts that are labeled 250 watts in the 250 fixtures is a major red flag.

08/21/2007, 05:07 PM	#7
Strega Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 70	Yeah my Dual Satellite is great just need more wattage and the Sundial has an electronic ballast another plus. Plan on using the Satellitte on my refugium(DIY 10 gallon).