Upgrading Lights; Better choice?

Kingumar · 11/09/2009, 10:23 PM

Hey guys, I started SW hobby a year ago and have a 55gal reef tank thats been running for a year. I bought 48'' 2x 54W T5 as starter light for my tank, I'v had it for a year now.

I want to move on to something a little better, more light. Not for SPS just want more light for better growth.

I have a budget of $300 or under!

Here are the lights iv been looking at, please tell me which choice is better, or if any is good at all.

1. AQUARIUM LIGHT 48" REEF ODYSSEA 260WT POWER COMPACT #U3

Modern sleek design, black as in picture.
Approx Dimensions are: @ 48" long, 8" wide, 2 3/4" tall very sleek and compact. Fits standard pin bulb for easy replacements.
Reflector for more refraction
Includes 3-Power Cords, one for each set of lights for easy timer use
Built in cooling fan
Cool running unit
High efficiency electronic ballast
4 - 65 Watt bulbs - (2) 12,000K daylight and (2) 03 true actinics.
1-pair of flippable light legs to mount the light directly over your existing aquarium.
4-dual LED Moonlights (8 total LED's) for night time viewing.

2.48" CF Dual Professional 260W Marine Version(4x 65W)

* Dimensions - 47.50” x 9.25” x 3.00”
* Brackets add 2.25" in height
* Supports 4x 65W Power Compact fluorescent lamps
* Supports 4x Bluemoon LED
* Supports straight pin lamps
* 260W total power
* Built-in Timer for automatic light settings
* Black, non corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
* Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
* Highly polished reflector
* Contoured reflector
* Cooling Fan
* Includes mounting brackets
* CE Certified
Listing includes:

* 1x 48" CF Dual w/Timer fixture
* 1x Mounting Bracket Pair (Free Item*)
* 2x 65W PC lamps 12000K (Free Item*)
* 2x 65W PC lamps Actinic Blue (Free Item*)
* 4x LED (Free Item*)

3.Wave Point Technology Premium High-Output T-5 Lighting Fixture
216 watt 48in High Output (4x 54w) T5 Lighting System

Features
• World’s Most Advanced Aquatic Lighting System
• 14X Light Amplifying Paradynamic Reflector
• Dual Sealed, High Moisture Resistant Fixture
• Premium UL Listed GFCI Plug
• On/Off Switch
• Ultra-Silent & Energy Efficient
• Includes: 2 Sun Wave Lamps & 2 Blue Wave Lamps

Suggestions please?

tkeracer619 · 11/09/2009, 10:26 PM

Anything with pcs are a step backwards.

Why not just get another twin t5 fixture?

How old are the bulbs in your current fixture?

Kingumar · 11/09/2009, 10:44 PM

i thought getting 4x 54w or 64w would be better..
i was thinking about getting another one of the sand 2x54w.. but is that the same or better?

Kingumar · 11/09/2009, 11:28 PM

anyone?

Kingumar · 11/10/2009, 11:11 AM

bump?

nanojg · 11/10/2009, 11:25 AM

dont waste money on pc's

tkeracer619 · 11/10/2009, 12:20 PM

It depends on the type of fixture you get. What do you currently have? Brand and model?

I would rather have one fixture but that does not make it better.

11/09/2009, 10:23 PM	#1
Kingumar Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 137	Upgrading Lights; Better choice? Hey guys, I started SW hobby a year ago and have a 55gal reef tank thats been running for a year. I bought 48'' 2x 54W T5 as starter light for my tank, I'v had it for a year now. I want to move on to something a little better, more light. Not for SPS just want more light for better growth. I have a budget of $300 or under! Here are the lights iv been looking at, please tell me which choice is better, or if any is good at all. 1. AQUARIUM LIGHT 48" REEF ODYSSEA 260WT POWER COMPACT #U3 Modern sleek design, black as in picture. Approx Dimensions are: @ 48" long, 8" wide, 2 3/4" tall very sleek and compact. Fits standard pin bulb for easy replacements. Reflector for more refraction Includes 3-Power Cords, one for each set of lights for easy timer use Built in cooling fan Cool running unit High efficiency electronic ballast 4 - 65 Watt bulbs - (2) 12,000K daylight and (2) 03 true actinics. 1-pair of flippable light legs to mount the light directly over your existing aquarium. 4-dual LED Moonlights (8 total LED's) for night time viewing. 2.48" CF Dual Professional 260W Marine Version(4x 65W) * Dimensions - 47.50” x 9.25” x 3.00” * Brackets add 2.25" in height * Supports 4x 65W Power Compact fluorescent lamps * Supports 4x Bluemoon LED * Supports straight pin lamps * 260W total power * Built-in Timer for automatic light settings * Black, non corrosive powder coated aluminum housing * Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing * Highly polished reflector * Contoured reflector * Cooling Fan * Includes mounting brackets * CE Certified Listing includes: * 1x 48" CF Dual w/Timer fixture * 1x Mounting Bracket Pair (Free Item) 2x 65W PC lamps 12000K (Free Item) 2x 65W PC lamps Actinic Blue (Free Item) 4x LED (Free Item) 3.Wave Point Technology Premium High-Output T-5 Lighting Fixture 216 watt 48in High Output (4x 54w) T5 Lighting System Features • World’s Most Advanced Aquatic Lighting System • 14X Light Amplifying Paradynamic Reflector • Dual Sealed, High Moisture Resistant Fixture • Premium UL Listed GFCI Plug • On/Off Switch • Ultra-Silent & Energy Efficient • Includes: 2 Sun Wave Lamps & 2 Blue Wave Lamps Suggestions please?*

11/09/2009, 10:26 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Anything with pcs are a step backwards. Why not just get another twin t5 fixture? How old are the bulbs in your current fixture? __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

11/10/2009, 12:20 PM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	It depends on the type of fixture you get. What do you currently have? Brand and model? I would rather have one fixture but that does not make it better. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

11/09/2009, 10:44 PM	#3
Kingumar Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 137	i thought getting 4x 54w or 64w would be better.. i was thinking about getting another one of the sand 2x54w.. but is that the same or better?

11/09/2009, 11:28 PM	#4
Kingumar Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 137	anyone?

11/10/2009, 11:11 AM	#5
Kingumar Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 137	bump?

11/10/2009, 11:25 AM	#6
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	dont waste money on pc's