Stock bulbs for now? Or a bad idea because...

iwishtofish · 11/02/2009, 03:52 PM

I'm probably going to put a 36" Current Nova Extreme Pro over my 40 breeder. I'm buying this particular fixture because buying new lights at all right now is pushing it for me - this fixture has fair reviews and costs a lot less than Tek, Aquactinics, etc. Besides, my tank is pretty shallow.

But here's where I'm stuck: Should I put out the extra money for a bulb upgrade now, or can I run the stock lights until they go bad? My concern is that if my corals get used to the stock bulbs, then I will light shock them when I upgrade to bulbs that offer more par (especially on such a shallow tank).

Anyone with experience to share?

iwishtofish · 11/02/2009, 08:50 PM

Up again for the late crowd...

Would I be taking a chance by not upgrading right away? Thanks

Jmatt567 · 11/02/2009, 10:16 PM

If you do decide to upgrade the bulbs right away, you will probably end up spending more than the cost of a Tek 6x39W fixture with bulbs. The Tek fixture is $429 with bulbs at reefgeek. The Tek has better reflectors, but you will probably have to rig up some type of fan for cooling it.

cubsFAN · 11/02/2009, 11:34 PM

just get 1 or 2 aqua blue plus from ati or a blue plus and a special. it's gonna cost a little more but should make a difference. it's a good fixture but it's loud. you could probably get away with 4 bulbs over that tank depending on what you want to keep. i have trouble finding spots for low light corals with the six bulb set up.

iwishtofish · 11/02/2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmatt567

If you do decide to upgrade the bulbs right away, you will probably end up spending more than the cost of a Tek 6x39W fixture with bulbs. The Tek fixture is $429 with bulbs at reefgeek. The Tek has better reflectors, but you will probably have to rig up some type of fan for cooling it.

Thanks - I'll check into that Tek fixture.

iwishtofish · 11/02/2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubsFAN

just get 1 or 2 aqua blue plus from ati or a blue plus and a special. it's gonna cost a little more but should make a difference. it's a good fixture but it's loud. you could probably get away with 4 bulbs over that tank depending on what you want to keep. i have trouble finding spots for low light corals with the six bulb set up.

Thanks for the suggestions, and sharing your experience! I didn't imagine that it would be too much light for some corals down low...

So you think I really have to upgrade immediately?

disaster999 · 11/03/2009, 12:37 AM

you can use the stock bulbs for now it just wouldnt look as nice as ATI bulbs or whatever.

use them for a year...or till you cant stand the color and change the bulbs one at a time. the new bulbs will be a lot brighter than used ones and more intensive. you dont want to bleach all your coral out

iwishtofish · 11/06/2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disaster999

you can use the stock bulbs for now it just wouldnt look as nice as ATI bulbs or whatever.

use them for a year...or till you cant stand the color and change the bulbs one at a time. the new bulbs will be a lot brighter than used ones and more intensive. you dont want to bleach all your coral out

That sounds like a good solution to prevent shocking the corals. Thanks disaster999.

vames · 11/06/2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disaster999

you can use the stock bulbs for now it just wouldnt look as nice as ATI bulbs or whatever.

use them for a year...or till you cant stand the color and change the bulbs one at a time. the new bulbs will be a lot brighter than used ones and more intensive. you dont want to bleach all your coral out

+1 to this. I think reefgeek has flat rate shipping, so I would think your best bet is to go with the stock bulbs, buy a bunch from reefgeek when you get the money, and then swap them out one a time every month or so. That way you don't pay shipping each time you buy one bulb, but you also won't bleach your corals by swapping them all at once. This is what I plan to do for my 4x39w fixture over a 46 bow.

davocean · 11/06/2009, 12:33 PM

I'd just get that fixture and use those stock bulbs myself.
I know there are better bulbs out there for sure, but I've had good success w/ stock bulbs in the past.
Just up to better bulbs when these are old.

corbett_n · 11/06/2009, 02:25 PM

+1 reefgeek

iwishtofish · 11/06/2009, 09:13 PM

Thank you vames, davocean, and corbett_n. Reefgeek it will be, when the time comes to change the bulbs!

(That is, if I don't just buy a Tek fixture from them with bulbs of choice to begin with - seems like a good deal...AAARGH!!!)

11/02/2009, 03:52 PM	#1
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	Stock bulbs for now? Or a bad idea because... I'm probably going to put a 36" Current Nova Extreme Pro over my 40 breeder. I'm buying this particular fixture because buying new lights at all right now is pushing it for me - this fixture has fair reviews and costs a lot less than Tek, Aquactinics, etc. Besides, my tank is pretty shallow. But here's where I'm stuck: Should I put out the extra money for a bulb upgrade now, or can I run the stock lights until they go bad? My concern is that if my corals get used to the stock bulbs, then I will light shock them when I upgrade to bulbs that offer more par (especially on such a shallow tank). Anyone with experience to share?

11/06/2009, 12:33 PM	#10
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I'd just get that fixture and use those stock bulbs myself. I know there are better bulbs out there for sure, but I've had good success w/ stock bulbs in the past. Just up to better bulbs when these are old. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

11/02/2009, 08:50 PM	#2
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	Up again for the late crowd... Would I be taking a chance by not upgrading right away? Thanks

11/02/2009, 10:16 PM	#3
Jmatt567 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 71	If you do decide to upgrade the bulbs right away, you will probably end up spending more than the cost of a Tek 6x39W fixture with bulbs. The Tek fixture is $429 with bulbs at reefgeek. The Tek has better reflectors, but you will probably have to rig up some type of fan for cooling it.

11/02/2009, 11:34 PM	#4
cubsFAN Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Lake Tahoe Posts: 1,550	just get 1 or 2 aqua blue plus from ati or a blue plus and a special. it's gonna cost a little more but should make a difference. it's a good fixture but it's loud. you could probably get away with 4 bulbs over that tank depending on what you want to keep. i have trouble finding spots for low light corals with the six bulb set up.

11/03/2009, 12:37 AM	#7
disaster999 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 457	you can use the stock bulbs for now it just wouldnt look as nice as ATI bulbs or whatever. use them for a year...or till you cant stand the color and change the bulbs one at a time. the new bulbs will be a lot brighter than used ones and more intensive. you dont want to bleach all your coral out

11/06/2009, 02:25 PM	#11
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	+1 reefgeek

11/06/2009, 09:13 PM	#12
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	Thank you vames, davocean, and corbett_n. Reefgeek it will be, when the time comes to change the bulbs! (That is, if I don't just buy a Tek fixture from them with bulbs of choice to begin with - seems like a good deal...AAARGH!!!)