| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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12-17-2006, 09:21 AM
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#1
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Big Fishy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tracy, MN
Posts: 653
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Anyone have a 72" coralife fixture, or other 72" light reviews
Anyone have a 72" coralife fixture? I'm looking to buy a 72" light fixture within the next few days. My max budget is $500. I looked at the 72" coralife new for $380. I'm wondering if it will be enough light for a reef. I would really like to have a clam or two some day. Any advice would be very helpful.
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12-17-2006, 11:11 AM
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#2
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,860
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I take it it's PC' lighting, How many watts?
The only 72 fixtures I have sold and see are current 72'' HQI with PC's, Real nice but alot more then 380.00.
But I also like current USA over coralife when it comes to fixtures
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Vince aka VINNIE
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12-17-2006, 12:37 PM
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#3
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Shark
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Marlboro, Ma.
Posts: 1,306
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What type of corals do you want to keep and what size tank (125, 150, 180, or 210)? If this is a pc fixture I would say no to clams and it would be a low light reef. You won't find a halide fixture in that range and probably no good T5 fixtures in that price range either. I have an aquamedic 72" halide fixture that I like.
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12-17-2006, 12:49 PM
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#4
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Montis 'R Us
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chuck Co, Mo
Posts: 5,295
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I have the 72" Aqualight Pro (MH and PC). Nice fixture but it is alot more than $500.
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Fish Man Eric
34g Starfire Reef
I can see by todays discussion that there seems to be a gray area between the real world and fantasyland!
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12-17-2006, 12:49 PM
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#5
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 590
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I have a Coralife 48" PC. I paid $325 when I bought it, they cost less now. For $500 look at MH's. T-5's would be better than the Coralife. They only put out 4.8W per gal. I think you need closer to 10W for most reef tanks. I have to say again, if the light is too much for what you have now, raise the light over the tank. You'll want more light later. Way cheaper to get the best light from jump. Wish I would have!!
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Steven
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12-17-2006, 09:27 PM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 418
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I think I know what u r talsking about. If it is ..the fixture has 4 96 wt pc for 354 bucks on Mdepot. I was looking at this for my FOWLR tank. I think you will be extremely limited even with soft corals on a larger tank. 125gal or a short tank may be ok at best...but stonys would not survive.
There are a couple of lower light clams you MAY be able to get away with but I would ask Casey or someone with a bit more experience on that one
I have the 48" equivelant w/MH on my 72 reef and can do pretty much anything but I still need to be aware of placement for the sps. I would look into MH fixtures or pendants now...cause later on you probably will anyway. JMHO.----Good luck hope it all works out
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Confucious say: He who fly upsie down has crack up
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12-17-2006, 10:24 PM
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#7
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 21,735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmy77
Anyone have a 72" coralife fixture? I'm looking to buy a 72" light fixture within the next few days. My max budget is $500. I looked at the 72" coralife new for $380. I'm wondering if it will be enough light for a reef. I would really like to have a clam or two some day. Any advice would be very helpful.
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Look at an Icecap Ballast and the 72" bulbs, better deal than a lot of expensive PC bulbs , but you are still poing to need more light for a reef, use this for actinics and add MH later
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When considering courage in battle, one should remember that there are 2 sides to every conflict.
The heroism of the losing side rarely gets remembered
but we were all husbands and fathers, sons and bros
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12-17-2006, 10:37 PM
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#8
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Big Fishy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tracy, MN
Posts: 653
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12-17-2006, 11:14 PM
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#9
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Shark
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Marlboro, Ma.
Posts: 1,306
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Nice! You'll be happy with halides.
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12-18-2006, 12:29 AM
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#10
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 21,735
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Good choice with the MH I dont think you need to spend more $ on new end caps to change over to T5 bulbs 
__________________
When considering courage in battle, one should remember that there are 2 sides to every conflict.
The heroism of the losing side rarely gets remembered
but we were all husbands and fathers, sons and bros
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12-18-2006, 10:19 PM
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#11
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Big Fishy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tracy, MN
Posts: 653
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Is all I have to do is change the end caps? thats only $40 or so I think. Any one ever by there MH bulbs from ebay?
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