need opinions... on pc light fixtures.

[DeepSix]

ok, i would like to finish off my reef tank project with solid light fixture, one with enough watts to maintian a normal healthy enviroment for soft corals and mushrooms ect... i have searched and found some nice fixtures that would look great. but the bulb combos are somewhat different, using 4x36w v. 3x55 v. 2x96, i compared watts per gallon and watts per dollar. all of these fit my price range, but i not trying for over-kill either. if i get the helios, then i can afford a moon light also, just something to consider as well.
i have limited my choices down to these 3 finalists

helios 4x36w (144w) for 170 usd ($.85/w 3.1w/gl) no cooling fan and fixture stand
light link #1

ultra reef 3x55w (165w) for 205usd ($.80/w 3.5w/gl) with cooling fan, no fixture stand available
light link #2

jst 2x96w (192w) for 225usd ($.86/w 4.7w/gl) w/cooling fan and adjustable fixture stand
light link #3
peace...
d6

[balakoth]

Well.. Since I dont feel you can "over do" your lights in any form or sense.. I would go with the higher wattage. But looking at your list again I would probably go with the 3 55 watters so you can have 2 Actinic and 1 daylight in there. to get a mix of color. Unless a 96 watt takes the entire length of your tank then I would just do a 1:1 ratio with those instead.

What are your Tank Demensions?

Ive been following a gentlemens website on his 55 Gallon Corner tank that has 2200 watts of light over it. His corals and BEAUTIFULL.. he also runs two chillers and the setup OUTSIDE the tank isnt all that appealing to the eye. But boy does it look pretty.


- Joe

[Doug1]

Is this for the 46g bowfront? I would go with the 90 watt if the 3' length will work over the tank

[Waterbury Guy]

DeepSix, if you're looking at going with the Helios fixture, you should consider buying from Hellolights:
http://www.hellolights.com/helligsys.html
They ship thiers with higher better bulbs. I'm going to pick up the 48" sometime in Sept.

[jjharrisx4]

Go with the 96 watters...less bulbs to replace in the future. Also, consider

www.ahsupply.com

good prices and products.

I wish I went with 2x96w instead of 4x55w for my 50 gal...bulbs are pricey (actually I now have 5x55w)

[R1Bill]

please look at MH once more before settling for PC. Eventually, in a few months probably, you'll realize the PCs were not the way to go, you just wasted a bunch of money and you'll be kicking yourself for not doing MH in the first place. I am kicking myself right now Then, you'll go out, spend more money and buy the MH that you should have got in the first place. All IMHO of course

check out:

http://www.thereeftank.com/forum/sho...threadid=10711

[DeepSix]

all good opinions!
r1bill, metal halide would be nice, but i just can't justify the $$$ for them at this time, later in a few years when i feel i need a larger tank, i could see getting them, but not now, i'm just learning how to care for my critters. plus those bulbs are very very expensive, and don't last long from my understanding. the choice are the 2x96w, and the one i am most likely to purchase. but i could get the same from the 4x36w since i have that well placed plastic support strap that splits the top of my tank. i got a few more days to think about it. thanks for all the input, i will consider it well.
peace...
d6

[fliberdygibits]

hey balakoth.... what is the URL for the site you were refering to with the 2200 watt guy?

Thanks

[DeepSix]

i'd like to see that was well! would like to view it as well, got a link?

this is my reef as it stands right now. i justed added a few pieces of fiji liverock, plate coral, brain coral, and a fire shrimp, not to mention "AudreyIII". the reef is lit by a single 55w 8800k pc.
peace....
d6

[Mr. Ono]

Deep Six, those JST fixtures have had trouble with their ballast after a few months.

[R1Bill]

d6,

"r1bill, metal halide would be nice, but i just can't justify the $$$ for them at this time"

this is where you are going wrong MH lasts longer than PC, is much brighter and is cheap! you should get at least 1 1/2 years out of MH. look up the data, PC vendors say 1 1/2 years but in reality, after 6 months PCs are really going downhill. i have PCs and i can tell after 2 months.

you just have to know what to do. check out this link and see for yourself. these prices are real.

http://aquarium.union.rpi.edu/DIY_MH.html

using the 6500K 250W Iwasaki bulb you can do the entire MH setup for less than $100.

does that beat PC or what????



bill

[balakoth]

Bill, your forgetting electricity, Actinic supplementation, Heat production. Oh yes he would need to build a new hood, add some fans... Theres more to it than just throwing a light bulb in there :P

The setup im going for with MHs is going to be around 500 bucks. if he wants Softies and low light corals, he might as well go cheaper and can use his PCs down the road on his bigger tank for actinic supplement if he likes the look of the Iwasakis.

Here ya go. I believe its 3 400 Watters, 1 1000 watter and 2 24 inch VHOs. The second link is a picture of his corals. once i can fidn the main picture link you will be able to se his whole room setup.

I believe he has broken down his tank now and moved onto something bigger. but none the less can you say OMG could you imagine the electric bill on that puppy?

http://ghchhilojack.homestead.com/lighting.html

http://ghchhilojack.homestead.com/acropora.html

For some pictures of his corals.


Lately I have been reading people with 3 400 watteres over their 45 gallon bow fronts and only using Radio shack Fans. to me this seems obserd because i cant maintain tank temps in the summer time even with my 350 watts of PC currently :P heh. Ill wait till after the picnic to decide if im going to try for the 400 Watt 20k Radiums (Going to try and pick Mojos brain for some cooling ideas!)


NM Full tank and setup pics are at the bottom of the acropora page. not very attractrive though

[DeepSix]

mr. ono, i wasn't aware of that in regards to the jst light fixtures. so i should look into a fixture with remote ballasts. thanks!
r1bill, i will continue searching for a bit, hopefully i run across an something that will fit my needs better and costs less. i can always retro-fit a mh/pc upgrade later.
balakoth, thanks for the link, that's one major light reflector. i liked the fan mounted on the wall for cooling, too bad it wasn't kept up better with all that he had invested into it. would have been a nice show piece.
thanks for the link waterbury guy, seeems like the place to order from!
peace!
d6

[Mr. Ono]

PC hoods that are coming from China are not made to UL standards and that is why they are cheaper that say a CSL or a Hamilton hood.

Also there are two types of PC bulbs, square or straight pins. If you are going to use PC bulbs on other tanks it is best to have all the bulbs with the same style pins.

I have used the Hamilton hood and their straight pin bulbs and never had any trouble for the last 4 years. I do change the bulbs every 6 months.

[DeepSix]

hello lights are currently out of the lights i want. they don't know when they are going to get any. so i'm going with the ultra reef power compact 29", with 3x55w.
choice for bulbs are :
*all 50/50 (blue/10k white)
*1-10k and 2-blue
*1-50/50 and 2-blue
*2-10k and 1 blue
*2-50/50 and 1 blue
*50/50 (red/10k) ?????
*50/50 (red/blue)?????
*blue actinic

like i'm not confused enough already.......
i like the 50/50 and 2 blue combo. i have a 8800k 55w on the tank now, that i could use to swap in for different combo. i think 3 blue actinic blues would be too much.