Lighting: CurrentUSA or AquaticLife?

[nicoleah]

Hi, all! I am getting close to purchasing better lighting for my 29 gallon (30" long) tank. I am currently running a single 65 watt pc.

Both CurrentUSA (Sundial) and AquaticLife offer a 30" fixture with 4x 24w T5s with LEDs. I don't think I can post links yet, but they can both be found on marinedepot.com. I have no experience with either of those brands, which would you recommend?

Thanks!

[Fat Tony]

whichever you decide, contact the manufacturer and verify that it is UL listed. Electrical products that are not UL listed can void any insurance damage coverage in the event of a fire.

[Brocnizer]

I love my auqatic life 24 inch T5. I just bought it a few weeks ago from Marine depot.

It is very soild construction and the timer is so easy to use! Only one cord and very easy adjustable legs

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by Fat Tony

whichever you decide, contact the manufacturer and verify that it is UL listed. Electrical products that are not UL listed can void any insurance damage coverage in the event of a fire.

Very important!

[umakemekissu]

I bought my 72'' AquaticLife half a year ago also from Marinedepot and it's been fine so far. Not sure about CurrentUSA though, but i saw most of my LFSs use it for their tanks.

[nicoleah]

The Aquaticlife fixtures cost a bit more, but they have a nifty-looking digital timer, only one power cord and adjustable-width mounting legs. I'm leaning towards that brand so far. Both brands have individual reflectors on each bulb, so it's a draw on that aspect. More opinions would be great, though!

Thanks again!

[Brocnizer]

I did read some negative reviews on the sundial but none for the aquaticlife. I was actually between the same two also. If you google the two brands and spend about an hour sifting through you will find other reviews.

About the only negative I can think of my 24 inch light is that it doesn't have a fan to cool the ballast. I think the larger models have them

[SoK]

i love the aquatic life MH fixtures. the ability to angle the MH's, a single cord, and the digital timer are what pull me.

[umakemekissu]

Originally Posted by nicoleah

The Aquaticlife fixtures cost a bit more, but they have a nifty-looking digital timer, only one power cord and adjustable-width mounting legs. I'm leaning towards that brand so far. Both brands have individual reflectors on each bulb, so it's a draw on that aspect. More opinions would be great, though!

Thanks again!

FYI, they don't have INDIVIDUAL reflector, the reflector is one piece that is contoured around different bulbs. It's good but not as good as the seperated individual reflector.

[nicoleah]

Oops, I misread the info:


Current USA says, "Individually contoured reflectors for maximum light intensity."

Aquaticlife says, "German-made specially angled reflector maximizes light by directing it into the aquarium."

Sorry!

[Brocnizer]

I just did a little test with a piece of white paper under my light.

My aquaticlife pretty much concentrates all the light right below the fixture. There is not much outward stray lighting. So I am assuming they aligned the reflectors properly to just shoot light into the tank.

I have noticed that my glass grows a lot less algae than my old PC setup. I think it has to do with less stray light hitting the glass.

Not sure if this info will help you in your decision

[nicoleah]

Thanks for the observation! My bf and I are both looking at new lights for our respective tanks (his is a 24" bowfront) and we agree the Aquaticlife ones seem better. Hhhhmmmm, maybe he should pitch in for mine since I do all of the research...?