Any body have any experience with Catalina Aquariums Solar T5?..

KYREEFMAN · 12/03/2008, 12:06 PM

thinkin about purchasing the 30 inch 6 bulb to light a 29 gallon mixed reef?.. tehre only 200 bucks.. any input?? thanks

synofreak · 12/04/2008, 07:58 AM

I'm happy with my 6x80W I purchased about a year ago.

KYREEFMAN · 12/04/2008, 08:23 AM

ya im thinkin of goin with a 30 inch 6 bulb to go over a 30 gallon... does it have individual reflectors.. and are the factory bulbs worth a ****...? thanks

rfd515 · 12/04/2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KYREEFMAN
ya im thinkin of goin with a 30 inch 6 bulb to go over a 30 gallon... does it have individual reflectors.. and are the factory bulbs worth a ****...? thanks

I don't think much CA makes is worth a crap, but that's just my 2 pesos

DiscoReefRover · 12/04/2008, 09:18 AM

I had one too there so called individual reflectors is a washboard bulbs to close together.... it heated my tank more than MH did and I had to buy 8 new bulbs cause theres stunk bad !!! and it rusted all over the place within a month...not worth the savings in my opinion!!!

crvz · 12/04/2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KYREEFMAN
thinkin about purchasing the 30 inch 6 bulb to light a 29 gallon mixed reef?.. tehre only 200 bucks.. any input?? thanks

might be adequate for simpler corals, but long term you may be better off investing in a higher quality unit. Having bought 3 different lighting systems (trying to be cheap, then just a little less cheap, then finally bought the good stuff), i've learned it's easier to buy something nice the first time around.

Aquabucket · 12/04/2008, 12:08 PM

They have crappy endcaps and run very hot. The bulbs are low quality as well. These units need some adequate modifications if you want them to last more than a year or so.

KYREEFMAN · 12/04/2008, 08:21 PM

thats all i needed to kno. thank you for guiding a fellow reefer from makin a costly mistake..

12/03/2008, 12:06 PM	#1
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	Any body have any experience with Catalina Aquariums Solar T5?.. thinkin about purchasing the 30 inch 6 bulb to light a 29 gallon mixed reef?.. tehre only 200 bucks.. any input?? thanks

12/04/2008, 09:18 AM	#5
DiscoReefRover Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Willowick, Ohio Posts: 1,603	I had one too there so called individual reflectors is a washboard bulbs to close together.... it heated my tank more than MH did and I had to buy 8 new bulbs cause theres stunk bad !!! and it rusted all over the place within a month...not worth the savings in my opinion!!! __________________ "I hope I'm not going to be the first person who lost a fish, because it superglued it's mouth shut. " Tswifty New ohio DUI law..1st. OFF get 2 Browns TICs 2nd OFF you have to use them !!! Current Tank Info: Divorced ....looking for my next hole to fill!!

12/04/2008, 12:08 PM	#7
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	They have crappy endcaps and run very hot. The bulbs are low quality as well. These units need some adequate modifications if you want them to last more than a year or so. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

12/04/2008, 07:58 AM	#2
synofreak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockford,IL Posts: 739	I'm happy with my 6x80W I purchased about a year ago.

12/04/2008, 08:23 AM	#3
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	ya im thinkin of goin with a 30 inch 6 bulb to go over a 30 gallon... does it have individual reflectors.. and are the factory bulbs worth a ****...? thanks

12/04/2008, 08:21 PM	#8
KYREEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 126	thats all i needed to kno. thank you for guiding a fellow reefer from makin a costly mistake..