Final Light Decission

[JBReef]

I'v done alot of research and in my price range I'v narrowed it down to 2 lights for the 55 gal. reef tank I am starting up.

I am hoping to be able to grow softies, clams, LPS, and stuff like that over time.

It has come down to a Nova extream w/ 4-54watt T-5HO w/ 4 Lunar lights

or the Corallife Aqualight Double Compact Fluorescent w/ 4-65watt bulbs and 4-Lunar Lights.

The difference is the Nova comes with 2-54watt "DAY LIGHTS" and the Corallife comes with 2-65watt 10000k......Both come with actinic's and Lunar's. I don't know what they mean by "DAY LIGHT"

So I guess what I'm not sure about is, is it better to have a T-5HO with less watts or a PC with more watts?

Thanks for the help!!

[leveldrummer]

go with the T5's, even though they have less watts, thier par is much higher. try to get a system with individual reflectors, not sure if the nova has that or not.

DAYLIGHTS" either means 6700k or 10000k, its just an easier term to remember, 6700k are yellow like the natural sun, 10000k are more white, maybe a touch of blue.

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by JBReef

I'v done alot of research and in my price range I'v narrowed it down to 2 lights for the 55 gal. reef tank I am starting up. Then a REEF is not in your "price range"!!!

I am hoping to be able to grow softies, clams, LPS, and stuff like that over time.

It has come down to a Nova extream w/ 4-54watt T-5HO w/ 4 Lunar lights

or the Corallife Aqualight Double Compact Fluorescent w/ 4-65watt bulbs and 4-Lunar Lights.

See in RED above!!

Unless all you plan on having is the "mostly" brown colored Derasa Clams then neither light will be near enough. While the T5's do penetrate better there is nowhere NEAR enough to support the more colorful variety of Clams such as Crocea, Maxima, Gigas, etc.!

Clams need VERY intense lighting!! Metal Halides for all but Derasa Species!

People, DO NOT cut corners on a reef tank please! You will NOT save money! You WILL kill animals! Please try and understand that I am not being mean. I am just tired of repeating the same thing over & over and I am trying to save what animals I can while at the same time, Save your wallet too. There are some areas you just can not be cheap in and lighting a Reef is one of them.

[JBReef]

I'm sory but you are incorect, I may not know everything about aquariums but I personaly know many people who keep BEAUTIFULL clams under their
T-5HO's. Tank placement is more critical but it is possible.

And Y just cause I narrowed it down to 2 lights mean a reef isn't in my price range, just cause I don't want MH's or I set a goal on my pricing does'nt mean I can't run a nice set up.

I also don't want to sound like an ass and I know you probly have to repeat yourself to alot of people who know nothing and don't study their stuff but befor you judge my type (CORNER CUTTER) please know.... I choose thoes 2 lights because they cut back on electricity, I know people who grow thoes things under thoes lights, and I'm not running a chiller under my tank so I am not in the market for an MH.

I was looking to hear from people who run these lights and see the pro's and con's.

Thanks for the DAYLIGHT explination I wasn't sure on K's "I'm curious to y they didn't wright it in the discription.

Once again THANKS
-JBReef-

[JBReef]

Let me re-word myself... I know people who grow thoes types of corals under thoes types of lights.... meantin the T-5HO's they are running 432watts not the 260's but my point was that MH's are not the only light that will support all thoes corals.

[Bear]

There is no point in having a T5HO fixture like that, it would be like having PCs. To get the power of the T5HOs they need to have individual reflectors.

Try checking out what reefgeek.com has for sale T5HO and MH wise. They have great deals and the cost of bulbs is included.

[JBReef]

There is a point..... T-5HO releases less heat, takes up less energy, you don't have to replace the bulbs as offten. T-5's IMO are a better deal than MH. MH's cost more to run they can over heat your tank requiring you to have to go out and buy a chiller or atleast run a fan over the tank. I'm not saying MH's are a bad light they are just not what I amlooking for at the time.

[Damon]

You are right JBR (about the cons to MH) but the lights you picked out will not cut it. T5 is popular in reefs and planted aquaria because of par and light distribution. Individual reflectors are a must or you are wasting up to 40% of the light due to reflection (and refraction). ANd you still need more "watts" of T5 to equate to the same "watts" of MH. Basically 450 watts of T5 is NOT equal to 450 watts of MH in terms of usefulness. But T5 bulbs are so slim, you can put many, many more over a tank. (And you electric bill will not waver much when you add enough T5 bulbs to equal a good MH lighting. I am in no means saying you should go MH (I use VHO over my 75) but consider your goals and how many T5 you will really need over the tank to keep your tank healthy and happy.

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by JBReef

I'm sory but you are incorect, I may not know everything about aquariums but I personaly know many people who keep BEAUTIFULL clams under their
T-5HO's. Tank placement is more critical but it is possible.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZ I'm sorry but YOU are incorrect!!!!! I said that neither of THOSE fixtures that you linked are enough for clams and I stake my 25 years experience on it!!!!

With VHO's or T5HO's (Not just T5's) you CAN get enough bulbs with individual reflectors to keep anything happily IF you have the space for enough bulbs! If Not, I go right back to what I said that you NEED Metal Halides!

You seem to think that all fixtures are created equal....Not the case bub!

And Y just cause I narrowed it down to 2 lights mean a reef isn't in my price range, just cause I don't want MH's or I set a goal on my pricing does'nt mean I can't run a nice set up.

I also don't want to sound like an ass and I know you probly have to repeat yourself to alot of people who know nothing and don't study their stuff but befor you judge my type (CORNER CUTTER) please know.... I choose thoes 2 lights because they cut back on electricity, I know people who grow thoes things under thoes lights, and I'm not running a chiller under my tank so I am not in the market for an MH.

I was looking to hear from people who run these lights and see the pro's and con's.

Thanks for the DAYLIGHT explination I wasn't sure on K's "I'm curious to y they didn't wright it in the discription.

Once again THANKS
-JBReef-

SHEESH.....

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by JBReef

There is a point..... T-5HO releases less heat, takes up less energy, you don't have to replace the bulbs as offten. T-5's IMO are a better deal than MH. MH's cost more to run they can over heat your tank requiring you to have to go out and buy a chiller or atleast run a fan over the tank. I'm not saying MH's are a bad light they are just not what I amlooking for at the time.

Give up Bear, This guy is obviously dead set on his way is right and will work and we know nothing. Let him find out in the long run. I'm done.

[leveldrummer]

you can keep clams and acros and what ever you want under 4 t5's, the only problem is, not the 4 you listed. get a icecap 660 ballast, and some endcaps, the ballast will overdrive the bulbs, and you NEED individual reflectors, if you can set it up that way, clams wont need any more light than that, they will still need a mature tank and some great water though.