Which Lighting System Fits These Specs?

[daveydoodle]

I'm looking for a 48" 8x54 watt T5 lighting system with built in lunar lights (usually 4 lunar lights). I saw one on That Fish Place a few weeks ago but now that I'm ready to buy I can't seem to find in anymore. I cannot remember which brand it was. Any recommendations?

Has to be 48" and I'd like an 8 bulb configuration with lunar lights. I'd like T5 bulbs too, obviously....

[mordibv]

Check the used forums for Tek , Ati .. be prepared to buy new bulbs preferably ATI's


HTH

[pmrossetti]

Was it this one?

http://www.aquacave.com/aqua-medic-o...x-54w-979.html

you could always put some moonlights on a Tek fixture.

[rtparty]

What are you going to keep in your tank? None of the good fixtures use moonlights but you can easily retro some in if you really want them.

[daveydoodle]

pmrosetti - thanks, that was the one. I guess That Fish Place stopped carrying that fixture.

rtparty - It's going to be a 75 gallon mixed reef. First saltwater tank. This looked like a decent first light for that tank. I really didn't want to go MH.

Thanks guys.

[daveydoodle]

Mordibv - I don't think I can get into the used sections yet, not enough post, right?

Aren't lunar lights what most people use for night time viewing?

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by daveydoodle

pmrosetti - thanks, that was the one. I guess That Fish Place stopped carrying that fixture.

rtparty - It's going to be a 75 gallon mixed reef. First saltwater tank. This looked like a decent first light for that tank. I really didn't want to go MH.

Thanks guys.

For a 75 gallon tank you don't need 8 bulbs. That will be complete overkill. A good 6 bulb fixture is all you need.

I recommend either a Tek or ATI. Spend the money right the first time and you won't regret it. Skimp on lighting and you will just pay for it later.

I haven't run moonlights on my tanks in over 5 years. Corals need a time of complete darkness to rest and lunar lights do not provide this if left on all night.

[daveydoodle]

Originally Posted by rtparty

For a 75 gallon tank you don't need 8 bulbs. That will be complete overkill. A good 6 bulb fixture is all you need. I wanted to make sure I had ample light to accomodate whatever I decide to get down the road. I thought I would go bigger to start with.

I recommend either a Tek or ATI. Spend the money right the first time and you won't regret it. Skimp on lighting and you will just pay for it later.
I thought getting a good 8 bulb T5 light WOULD be doing it right the first time. I'm just looking for lighting for a 75 mixed reef, nothing specific yet as I don't know what I'll really enjoy as far as SPS, LPS, etc. Getting the 8 bulb fixture would allow me to choose anything as I won't be lacking in total wattage.

I haven't run moonlights on my tanks in over 5 years. Corals need a time of complete darkness to rest and lunar lights do not provide this if left on all night.

I understand that they (corals and fish) do need the photosythesetic(sp?) periods and I had planned on using the lunar lights purely for viewing at night briefly when some of the corals and nocturnal creatures became more active. I have a 5 and 4 year old and I know they, as well as myself, would like to watch some of these animals more active. I will have periods where every light source is off.

I appreciate the feedback. I thought based on reading other peoples posts and threads that this light would be doing it right the first time.

[rtparty]

Total wattage doesn't matter with T5s. Its all about how much PAR a unit puts out. Im not saying an Aqua Medic wont work but there are much better options. I would bet an ATI easily puts out 30% more light using less bulbs and less electricity.

As far as moonlights go, it is easy to retro some moonlights into the lighting scheme if wanted. I agree about night viewing but I personally think there are other options to use.

[pmrossetti]

you could stick these on the Teklight or Sunpower

http://www.aquacave.com/r2-solutions...tube-2607.html

http://www.aquacave.com/r2-solutions...ller-2608.html

the sunpower must be hung, Tek can either be hung or on legs.

[daveydoodle]

rtparty - so when I'm looking at a fixture I should be comparing the PAR values, assuming that all 54 watt bulbs are created equal? I was aware of the Kelvin ratings, which appeared to be specific to the "color" of the bulb. I thought I had adequately researched this, and hence chose the T5 because they were a happy medium between MH or LED's, but apparently back to the drawing board.

I'm okay with doing something different with the lunar lights; the intent was not to have them run all night long, but rather to briefly view the tank when myself or my kids needed. I just looked at the convenience of having those lights already built into the fixture.

[daveydoodle]

Looks like the ATI Sunpower 6 bulb fixture was recommended in another thread on another tank similiar to my self up; I assume the same recommendation still holds true.
Sufficent for a 75 gallon mixed reef? (starter tank, no "expert" corals)

[pmrossetti]

the sunpower is about as good as it gets.
the 36" unit over a 48" tank is perfect.
remember, this light can only be hung.

fwiw,I love moonlights and will always have them.

[daveydoodle]

I found the ATI Sunpower 48" 6x54 for $500 at MD. I think I'll go ahead and order that one and work on the moonlights next. I'll find a small auxiliary fixture strictly for viewing.

Thanks for the advise

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by daveydoodle

I found the ATI Sunpower 48" 6x54 for $500 at MD. I think I'll go ahead and order that one and work on the moonlights next. I'll find a small auxiliary fixture strictly for viewing.

Thanks for the advise

Does that include bulbs of your choice in that price? If not, I would look at Reefgeek instead for the fixture. They give a discount when you buy the fixture and bulbs all at once.

Not all bulbs are created equal, not even close. Stick with good brand bulbs. ATI, KZ and even Gmann.