Totally NaÃ¯ve Shopper Seeks Advice on 30" Fluorescent

Nippyfish · 04/15/2009, 05:50 PM

I have a 29 gallon reef tank which I really donâ€™t have proper lighting for. My local fish store was special ordering me a 30â€ dual Satellite but it has been nearly a month and still no fixture. It turns out the manufacturer isnâ€™t releasing any more to the suppliers so I am on my own again. There are several other websites with this fixture in stock but I am wondering if this is really the best fixture for the buck. At about $175, is this the best model available in 30â€? I also would like a lunar light as I have lots neat things to see after dark, which the Satellite has.

The fish store guy originally recommended the dual Satellite but also mentioned a superior fixture that is hitting the market soon (or just has) for a few dollars more. Of course I didnâ€™t write down what that new fixture was called. I want to say it is by AquaticLife or something.

Basically, I am choosing a fixture completely blind, without knowing much about reef lighting at all. So any sound advice I get will be a huge help.

diciple · 04/15/2009, 06:18 PM

go to catlina aquarium.com tons of lights and in cali too tell them your specifics id go with t-5 much better hope this helps Rich

mkarston · 04/16/2009, 10:42 AM

24" light would work great for a 30" tank, and are much more readily available

Read my response and pictures here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5#post14824295

04/15/2009, 05:50 PM	#1
Nippyfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 15	Totally NaÃ¯ve Shopper Seeks Advice on 30" Fluorescent I have a 29 gallon reef tank which I really donâ€™t have proper lighting for. My local fish store was special ordering me a 30â€ dual Satellite but it has been nearly a month and still no fixture. It turns out the manufacturer isnâ€™t releasing any more to the suppliers so I am on my own again. There are several other websites with this fixture in stock but I am wondering if this is really the best fixture for the buck. At about $175, is this the best model available in 30â€? I also would like a lunar light as I have lots neat things to see after dark, which the Satellite has. The fish store guy originally recommended the dual Satellite but also mentioned a superior fixture that is hitting the market soon (or just has) for a few dollars more. Of course I didnâ€™t write down what that new fixture was called. I want to say it is by AquaticLife or something. Basically, I am choosing a fixture completely blind, without knowing much about reef lighting at all. So any sound advice I get will be a huge help.

04/15/2009, 06:18 PM	#2
diciple Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: fremont,Mo. Posts: 355	go to catlina aquarium.com tons of lights and in cali too tell them your specifics id go with t-5 much better hope this helps Rich __________________ 20gal pico aquariums starfire cube 150de mh w/Tunze streams.Seaside aquatics 3.5 skimm Current Tank Info: 22 g pico cube 150w mh+led supplement

04/16/2009, 10:42 AM	#3
mkarston Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 449	24" light would work great for a 30" tank, and are much more readily available Read my response and pictures here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5#post14824295