Light Fixture Recommendation

gcgrad · 08/04/2011, 05:19 PM

125 gallon tank which is 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8 (l x w x h). Going for a reef. Thinking about the AquaticLife 72" T5 HO 8 Lamp Fixture w/ Lunar Lights. Retail price is $550 but seeing an ad online used for $300. Thoughts?

pmrossetti · 08/04/2011, 05:33 PM

nice light, but bulbs aren't too good, but they'll be ok for awhile.

what about the 12 bulb one, a little more light?

1pix4c · 08/04/2011, 05:34 PM

i have the aquaticlife t5 its the best light i ever had, buy it before its gone and go with ATI bulbs

Dvara78 · 08/04/2011, 05:44 PM

Why not go the LED route.....seems like you can build your own inexpensive fixture.

gcgrad · 08/04/2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dvara78

Why not go the LED route.....seems like you can build your own inexpensive fixture.

At this stage if I were to go the LED route I would build my own. However, that seems like a taller task than I may be capable of right now. Plus LEDs are still rather newer technology so research is still being performed to determine the effectiveness. At least that is what I have been reading. So the aquatic life seems like a very good alternative, especially for the price.

Lynnmw1208 · 08/04/2011, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcgrad

125 gallon tank which is 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8 (l x w x h). Going for a reef. Thinking about the AquaticLife 72" T5 HO 8 Lamp Fixture w/ Lunar Lights. Retail price is $550 but seeing an ad online used for $300. Thoughts?

I have this exact same light and I LOVE it. I did change the bulbs to ATI though.
I have 4 blue+, 2 purple+ and 2 actinic bulbs: it gives a nice blue look
if you don't like as much blue, switch out the 2 actinic for 2 aquablue bulbs.

This fixture also runs very cool and gives off tons of light. It's almost too much light for my birdsnest! I also had to move down a frogspawn to a corner because the light was strong

Lynnmw1208 · 08/04/2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrossetti

nice light, but bulbs aren't too good, but they'll be ok for awhile.

what about the 12 bulb one, a little more light?

I wouldn't do the 12 bulb one on a 125 gallon. They are pretty shallow tanks and like I said I was having problems with too much light

gcgrad · 08/05/2011, 09:07 AM

Thanks for the info Lynn. I really want this light. You know how much I should expect to spend on the ATI bulbs you recommended?

Catastrophi · 08/05/2011, 09:45 AM

72" ATI bulbs generally run around 23 bucks a pop.

Lynnmw1208 · 08/05/2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcgrad

Thanks for the info Lynn. I really want this light. You know how much I should expect to spend on the ATI bulbs you recommended?

check out www.bulkreefsupply.com They have the cheapest prices by far on the bulbs. If you get 4 of the blue+ bulbs you get a discount too

This is where I bought them. They do run about $20 a bulb average, but they are sooo worth it.

gcgrad · 08/05/2011, 11:40 AM

Oh ok. I have made purchases from there before so I will be sure to check it out. Thanks!!

08/04/2011, 05:19 PM	#1
gcgrad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 192	Light Fixture Recommendation 125 gallon tank which is 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8 (l x w x h). Going for a reef. Thinking about the AquaticLife 72" T5 HO 8 Lamp Fixture w/ Lunar Lights. Retail price is $550 but seeing an ad online used for $300. Thoughts?

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08/04/2011, 05:33 PM	#2
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	nice light, but bulbs aren't too good, but they'll be ok for awhile. what about the 12 bulb one, a little more light?

08/04/2011, 05:34 PM	#3
1pix4c Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Appleton WI Posts: 209	i have the aquaticlife t5 its the best light i ever had, buy it before its gone and go with ATI bulbs

08/04/2011, 05:44 PM	#4
Dvara78 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 71	Why not go the LED route.....seems like you can build your own inexpensive fixture.

08/05/2011, 09:07 AM	#8
gcgrad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 192	Thanks for the info Lynn. I really want this light. You know how much I should expect to spend on the ATI bulbs you recommended?

08/05/2011, 09:45 AM	#9
Catastrophi Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 326	72" ATI bulbs generally run around 23 bucks a pop.

08/05/2011, 11:40 AM	#11
gcgrad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 192	Oh ok. I have made purchases from there before so I will be sure to check it out. Thanks!!