Lighting is soo confusing

Pallaz · 01/26/2010, 01:25 AM

Ok so I have 47 gal bowfront tank that i switched over from FW to Saltwater. I am currently running 2 96watt 10k bulbs. I want to get some T5's so my tank looks more amazing. I will mostly stock with softies, xenia, zoas polys....I have looked over a few sights and I am really confused as to which would be the best lights for me? I do not have the ability to hang lights since i have a 20ft ceiling. I have seen a few that have the built in timer for the light controls and that seems like a good idea. Any thoughts?

Pallaz · 01/29/2010, 06:12 PM

bump.

how much lights watts? How many bulbs? is 36 Inch 6x39 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixtures w/ 4 LEDs is that too much for my tank?

DC_40gallon · 01/29/2010, 07:22 PM

The main brands (and I will forget a few) are Tek, Current USA, Wave Point, Ice Cap to name a few. You can do a Current USA or Wave Point and those have legs to mount on top of your tank. You will want either a 4 or 6 bulb fixture. This will allow bulb combos to set your mood preference on the tank.

that AquaticLife T5 fixture you mentioned above sounds perfect!

DC_40gallon · 01/29/2010, 07:23 PM

check marineandreef.com for prices. They always have amazing deals on fixtures.

sedor · 01/29/2010, 07:33 PM

I would go with a 4 bulb T5 setup...personally, if you don't really need a top of the line fixture, I would go with a Current USA Nova Extreme:

http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_..._lunar-ap.html

They will run you somewhere around $200. You would actually probably be able to keep anything you wanted in your tank with one of these. To keep just softies, you could go with like a basic 2 bulb fixture.

sevendigitcake · 01/29/2010, 08:21 PM

check out the used forum on here. you can probably get a used fixture from someone for cheap.

01/29/2010, 06:12 PM	#2
Pallaz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 23	any suggestions? bump. how much lights watts? How many bulbs? is 36 Inch 6x39 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixtures w/ 4 LEDs is that too much for my tank?

01/29/2010, 07:33 PM	#5
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I would go with a 4 bulb T5 setup...personally, if you don't really need a top of the line fixture, I would go with a Current USA Nova Extreme: http://www.marinedepot.com/lighting_..._lunar-ap.html They will run you somewhere around $200. You would actually probably be able to keep anything you wanted in your tank with one of these. To keep just softies, you could go with like a basic 2 bulb fixture. __________________ Ryan

01/29/2010, 07:22 PM	#3
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	The main brands (and I will forget a few) are Tek, Current USA, Wave Point, Ice Cap to name a few. You can do a Current USA or Wave Point and those have legs to mount on top of your tank. You will want either a 4 or 6 bulb fixture. This will allow bulb combos to set your mood preference on the tank. that AquaticLife T5 fixture you mentioned above sounds perfect!

01/29/2010, 07:23 PM	#4
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	check marineandreef.com for prices. They always have amazing deals on fixtures.

01/29/2010, 08:21 PM	#6
sevendigitcake Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 452	check out the used forum on here. you can probably get a used fixture from someone for cheap.