Lighting on 75g

sleevasteve · 09/10/2006, 11:06 PM

http://www.hellolights.com/484xcoluaqde.html

Would this be a recommended light for a 75 gallon? And how reputable is this seller? Looks pretty nice to me. Also was looking at:

http://www.hellolights.com/48aqpl.html

Way more expensive but if it would be well worth it, I may consider. Is it overkill??

Thanks for any suggestions.

sleevasteve · 09/10/2006, 11:43 PM

Also should to add I am really only going to be growing mostly soft corals, but I do want the corals and fish's colors to be as vivid as possible. Thanks in advance.

jag1979 · 09/11/2006, 04:56 AM

I have heard nothing but good things about helliolights.

I think either configuration would work for soft corals; although the first might be just enough.

but if I were you i'd rather have this:
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104193.html

flfirefighter13 · 09/11/2006, 05:57 AM

for 250-300 you can get a VHO retro kit and and build or by a canopy. This would be enough light to get into the more intensive corals down the road when you end up changing your mind about the softies like everyone tends to do. Hello lighting has some good deals, as wekk as marine depot. Good luck with wahtever you decide!!!

sleevasteve · 09/11/2006, 08:53 AM

I am building a canopy, so it says I would need the retrofit kit which would cost another $450-500. It looks like that may come with the lights though...hopefully?? Well there are 2 kits that do the same thing:

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104069.html

and

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104435.html

Would either be sufficient? Does the kit come with something to cover the lights from evaporation build up. Something to somewhat enclose them. How far away from the water should these be? What is the difference between VHO and HO? Sorry for all the ?s but all I've dealt with is PCs. Thank you for all the help! I really appreciate it!

RichConley · 09/11/2006, 09:23 AM

stay away from PCs, and IMO, stay away from VHO. If you're going to go fluorescent, go T5HO.

sleevasteve · 09/11/2006, 10:37 AM

Can anyone elaborate on PCs vs VHOs vs T5HO? The T5HOs sound pretty nice, but I just don't know enough about them to rationalize spending double. Also can somebody give their opinion on the retrofits I listed in my last post. Is there any difference besides name? Thanks alot!

RichConley · 09/11/2006, 10:53 AM

how are you looking at spending double? T5s should be cheaper, because you need much less.

A 2x54w tek light will probably do more than that 4x65w PC fixture, and cost about $130. A 4x54w Teklight should run about 300 w/ bulbs, and will blow away that 4x96w fixture.

sleevasteve · 09/11/2006, 11:33 AM

I figured if I bought the 6 54w kit which is what was suggested it would be like $450. You say 4 54w would blow away the 4x96 eh? Hmmm... Is there a difference between the teklights you are talking about and the link above? I do need the retrofit kit so I can install it in canopy. I found this on hellolights for the teklight:

http://www.hellolights.com/482x54wtekli.html

I guess I would just get 2 of these? And what is the difference, between actinic, and true actinic?

sleevasteve · 09/11/2006, 12:30 PM

Also what about these finnex lights?

http://www.northcoastmarines.com/lig...tems_fluor.htm

RichConley · 09/11/2006, 12:39 PM

Stay away from the Finnex ones. You want to make sure that you get ones with Individual Reflectors. IE a reflector for EACH bulb. The 2 bulb fixture with individual reflectors will put out about the same amount of light as the one with a 4 bulbs on a single reflector.

A pair of the TekLight retros would probably work great, also check reefgeek, etc. The Icecap SLR reflectors are a little nicer than the Teks.

Stay away from the IceCap 660 ballast. A lot of people like to overdrive the bulbs with them, but almost every case I've seen of people having problems with T5s and their corals, its been with that ballast.

sleevasteve · 09/11/2006, 01:09 PM

Would you suggest 2 of these:
http://www.hellolights.com/482x54wtekli.html
Or 1 of these:
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104068.html

And you say just these will blow away the 4 96w fixture right??

RichConley · 09/11/2006, 01:27 PM

Price is about the same when you consider the reefgeek one comes wiht bulbs, while the hellolights doesnt.

I'd say get the reefgeek one, and have them upgrade the reflectors to Icecap SLRs. I think they'll charge you abou $20 total to upgrade the 4 reflectors.

and Yes, a 4x54w T5 setup will absolutely destroy a 4x96w PC fixture.

sleevasteve · 09/11/2006, 01:47 PM

Ok. It is settled. Last question. What light combination do you suggest. The description suggests 1:1:2 Sun to Aquablue to Actinic/Blue Plus. Is this a good combination? It sounds like it will be a very blue spectrum, which is what I want. Just wanted to double check with you before I finished checking out. You've been a great help!

RichConley · 09/11/2006, 03:04 PM

Yikes, thats a large question of personal taste, and I'm a very 10K sorta guy. Send a PM to Grim Reefer, or Horkn, or Hahnmeister, or Horace. They've all played with way more T5 bulbs than I have.

sleevasteve · 09/13/2006, 03:53 PM

Well I made the order! I should have them by Monday!

I went with:

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104069.html

2 UVL Super Actinics
2 ATI BLUE PLUSs
1 UVL Aquasun
1 UVL Actinic White

Hope these fish are ready for a suntan!!

Check out this pic of a comparison of slightly higher wattage pc's to lower wattage T5's. Keep in mind 4 of those T5's is around the same price as all 4 of the PC's! Thanks to Rich Conley for sending me in the right direction, and Grim Reefer for suggesting the bulbs! I almost wasted my money on similar to the same PC's as in the pic!

http://notlehs.home.mchsi.com/salt10/t5_pc.jpg

I'll show you all the lighting and the tank once everything is set up! Happy Reefing!!

sleevasteve · 09/13/2006, 03:57 PM

BTW also upgraded to ice cap reflectors. Also wanted to thank Horkn, Hahnmeister, and Horace for all responding to my pm's and giving their input. This site is just bursting at the seams with helpful, friendly, all around great people!

RichConley · 09/13/2006, 04:10 PM

wow. You went with the 6x I see? You should be able to keep pretty much whatever the heck you want in there.

sleevasteve · 09/13/2006, 11:20 PM

Yeah I did. I think it will be well worth it! Thanks again!

09/10/2006, 11:06 PM	#1
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Lighting on 75g http://www.hellolights.com/484xcoluaqde.html Would this be a recommended light for a 75 gallon? And how reputable is this seller? Looks pretty nice to me. Also was looking at: http://www.hellolights.com/48aqpl.html Way more expensive but if it would be well worth it, I may consider. Is it overkill?? Thanks for any suggestions.

09/11/2006, 09:23 AM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	stay away from PCs, and IMO, stay away from VHO. If you're going to go fluorescent, go T5HO. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/11/2006, 10:53 AM	#8
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	how are you looking at spending double? T5s should be cheaper, because you need much less. A 2x54w tek light will probably do more than that 4x65w PC fixture, and cost about $130. A 4x54w Teklight should run about 300 w/ bulbs, and will blow away that 4x96w fixture. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/11/2006, 12:39 PM	#11
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Stay away from the Finnex ones. You want to make sure that you get ones with Individual Reflectors. IE a reflector for EACH bulb. The 2 bulb fixture with individual reflectors will put out about the same amount of light as the one with a 4 bulbs on a single reflector. A pair of the TekLight retros would probably work great, also check reefgeek, etc. The Icecap SLR reflectors are a little nicer than the Teks. Stay away from the IceCap 660 ballast. A lot of people like to overdrive the bulbs with them, but almost every case I've seen of people having problems with T5s and their corals, its been with that ballast. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/11/2006, 01:27 PM	#13
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Price is about the same when you consider the reefgeek one comes wiht bulbs, while the hellolights doesnt. I'd say get the reefgeek one, and have them upgrade the reflectors to Icecap SLRs. I think they'll charge you abou $20 total to upgrade the 4 reflectors. and Yes, a 4x54w T5 setup will absolutely destroy a 4x96w PC fixture. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/10/2006, 11:43 PM	#2
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Also should to add I am really only going to be growing mostly soft corals, but I do want the corals and fish's colors to be as vivid as possible. Thanks in advance.

09/11/2006, 04:56 AM	#3
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	I have heard nothing but good things about helliolights. I think either configuration would work for soft corals; although the first might be just enough. but if I were you i'd rather have this: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104193.html

09/11/2006, 05:57 AM	#4
flfirefighter13 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deland Posts: 1,289	for 250-300 you can get a VHO retro kit and and build or by a canopy. This would be enough light to get into the more intensive corals down the road when you end up changing your mind about the softies like everyone tends to do. Hello lighting has some good deals, as wekk as marine depot. Good luck with wahtever you decide!!!

09/11/2006, 08:53 AM	#5
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	I am building a canopy, so it says I would need the retrofit kit which would cost another $450-500. It looks like that may come with the lights though...hopefully?? Well there are 2 kits that do the same thing: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104069.html and http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104435.html Would either be sufficient? Does the kit come with something to cover the lights from evaporation build up. Something to somewhat enclose them. How far away from the water should these be? What is the difference between VHO and HO? Sorry for all the ?s but all I've dealt with is PCs. Thank you for all the help! I really appreciate it!

09/11/2006, 10:37 AM	#7
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Can anyone elaborate on PCs vs VHOs vs T5HO? The T5HOs sound pretty nice, but I just don't know enough about them to rationalize spending double. Also can somebody give their opinion on the retrofits I listed in my last post. Is there any difference besides name? Thanks alot!

09/11/2006, 11:33 AM	#9
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	I figured if I bought the 6 54w kit which is what was suggested it would be like $450. You say 4 54w would blow away the 4x96 eh? Hmmm... Is there a difference between the teklights you are talking about and the link above? I do need the retrofit kit so I can install it in canopy. I found this on hellolights for the teklight: http://www.hellolights.com/482x54wtekli.html I guess I would just get 2 of these? And what is the difference, between actinic, and true actinic?

09/11/2006, 12:30 PM	#10
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Also what about these finnex lights? http://www.northcoastmarines.com/lig...tems_fluor.htm

09/11/2006, 01:09 PM	#12
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Would you suggest 2 of these: http://www.hellolights.com/482x54wtekli.html Or 1 of these: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104068.html And you say just these will blow away the 4 96w fixture right??

09/11/2006, 01:47 PM	#14
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Ok. It is settled. Last question. What light combination do you suggest. The description suggests 1:1:2 Sun to Aquablue to Actinic/Blue Plus. Is this a good combination? It sounds like it will be a very blue spectrum, which is what I want. Just wanted to double check with you before I finished checking out. You've been a great help!

09/11/2006, 03:04 PM	#15
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Yikes, thats a large question of personal taste, and I'm a very 10K sorta guy. Send a PM to Grim Reefer, or Horkn, or Hahnmeister, or Horace. They've all played with way more T5 bulbs than I have. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/13/2006, 03:53 PM	#16
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Well I made the order! I should have them by Monday! I went with: http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104069.html 2 UVL Super Actinics 2 ATI BLUE PLUSs 1 UVL Aquasun 1 UVL Actinic White Hope these fish are ready for a suntan!! Check out this pic of a comparison of slightly higher wattage pc's to lower wattage T5's. Keep in mind 4 of those T5's is around the same price as all 4 of the PC's! Thanks to Rich Conley for sending me in the right direction, and Grim Reefer for suggesting the bulbs! I almost wasted my money on similar to the same PC's as in the pic! http://notlehs.home.mchsi.com/salt10/t5_pc.jpg I'll show you all the lighting and the tank once everything is set up! Happy Reefing!!

09/13/2006, 03:57 PM	#17
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	BTW also upgraded to ice cap reflectors. Also wanted to thank Horkn, Hahnmeister, and Horace for all responding to my pm's and giving their input. This site is just bursting at the seams with helpful, friendly, all around great people!

09/13/2006, 04:10 PM	#18
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	wow. You went with the 6x I see? You should be able to keep pretty much whatever the heck you want in there. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/13/2006, 11:20 PM	#19
sleevasteve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MO Posts: 321	Yeah I did. I think it will be well worth it! Thanks again!