Lunar lighting and plants

[mopedman]

Hello, I am looking at buying the 48" 4x65W Coralife LUNAR Aqualight Deluxe for my 55 gallon freshwater tank. I have 4 bulbs to choose from, HelloLights 55/65W 10,000K, HelloLights 55/65W Actinic 03, HelloLights 55/65W 50/50 10K/Act 3, or HelloLights 55/65W Blue 7,100K. I can arrange any combination. I want to have plants and a tank that looks cool with the lighting. What would you suggest? I want to have some live plants but I am a beginner. Thanks for your input.

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by mopedman

Hello, I am looking at buying the 48" 4x65W Coralife LUNAR Aqualight Deluxe for my 55 gallon freshwater tank. I have 4 bulbs to choose from, HelloLights 55/65W 10,000K, HelloLights 55/65W Actinic 03, HelloLights 55/65W 50/50 10K/Act 3, or HelloLights 55/65W Blue 7,100K. I can arrange any combination. I want to have plants and a tank that looks cool with the lighting. What would you suggest? I want to have some live plants but I am a beginner. Thanks for your input.

mp: IMHO I would not do this one. I reviewed the product information and based on my Satellite experience the moon lights will not work as you anticipate.

Please review the following and post what you believe may be appropriate.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquari..._fixtures.html

This is just a starting point as other lighting may be appropriate.

TR

[JustOneMore20]

I would get 2 10000K and 2 actinic unless you plan to have pressurized co2. 4 65w full spectrum (6700K or 10000K bulbs) will be way too much light without co2 and you'll be battling algae for sure.

If you don't ever plan on injecting pressurized co2, then you would be fine with a double 65w fixture. I'm not sure if those come with lunar lights though, but only having the 2 bulbs would save you some money.

Without co2, I wouldn't even use the 50/50 bulbs....but straight actinic (blue coloration).

Lunar lights won't affect the plants. They are just for your enjoyment.

Coralife fixtures are great IME. The ones I have don't have lunar lights, but those are mainly for nighttime viewing, so it seems like any would work.

[mopedman]

The satelite has bad reviews as far as fan noise and that the moonlights are white instead of blue. I guess what I am asking is what is the difference between http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...S&Category=611
and
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=328
?
The second, lunar seems better and cheaper. It has more moonlights that are included along with the stands while those are upgrades on the first one which is way more expensive? I want the second light but want to make sure it will still grow plants fine and didn't know what kind of combination to use. Can someone please give me more input about them? Thanks

[JustOneMore20]

The first ones contain 6700K bulbs. With the 4x65w fixture in the first one, you wouldn't need to change out any of the bulbs if you had pressurized co2 and wanted to use them all....all of the bulbs are full spectrum, where as in the 2nd link, it comes with actinic bulbs that are usually used for saltwater......but see below:

If you don't have pressurized co2, then you need to get 2 actinic bulbs and 2 full spectrum (10000K or 6700K). Actinic bulbs do nothing for plants, so they won't lead to algae issues.

My suggestion, if you are on any kind of budget is to get the 2x65w fixture with the 6700K bulbs....unless you just want the lunar lights.

Stands? You mean the mounting legs? Those are add ons in both of them.

The mounting legs are not included in the base price, and is an add on item.

From the 2nd link.


If you don't plan on injecting pressurized co2, get 2 actinic bulbs and 2 10000K bulbs.

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by mopedman

The satelite has bad reviews as far as fan noise ...

The reviews are partially correct. The fans do generate noise but no more than a high end PC fan. Also please note that the fans are not necessary unless the fixtures are enclosed (or at least I have not had any problem with them).

Originally Posted by mopedman

and that the moonlights are white instead of blue.

Whoever did the reviews obviously did not try them out. The moonlights do not function at all for me with respect to night lighting.
Before I purchased MH with moonlighting (white and blue) which actually works I used the 7100K bulbs in the dual satellites for night time lighting.

mm: I purchased my Satellites at the recommendation of the folks at Marine Depot and I have been very pleased with them.

TR

[mopedman]

Thanks, I should be getting the two actinic and two regulars.