Restarting a reef tank: best lights

[Anonymous]

I've thrown my 55 gal into the fire (but kept the 400 W compact fluorescents, FWIW). I'd like to start a ca. 75 gal, mostly soft corals and a bubble tip for my maroons.

I am thinking HQIs, but am open to all suggestions. I was impressed with some of the 2 x 150 W integrated systems I have seen, and I of course can supplement it with compact fluorescents for the price of new lamps, since I already have everything else.

In any case, if you can recommend vendors, types, etc, I would be very grateful. Personal testimonials are a plus.

 

[Len]

I've tried all sorts of "HQI" pendants and like nearly all of them. Maybe I'm just not discerning enough My recommendation is to get a pendant with a remote ballast (hooked up via a cable with disconnect). I preferred these to ones with the ballast built into the pendant because of ease of servicing and mounting (much lighter in weight). Sunlight Supply, Icecap, and PFO come to mind. I liked the excellent aesthetics and build quality of stuff from Aqualine and Giesmann, but these have the ballast built into the pendant which is not desirable for me, plus their costs are on the high side.

I'm probably biased, but all our sponsors are good vendors to deal with (I've tried just about all of them). I guess it comes down to price shopping, "policy" shopping, and finding one closet to you.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the Coralife Aqualight Advanced, and can highly recommend it. It comes with dual 150W DE halides, 20k temp.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

Are Lumenarc III or Mini's avialable in HQI? I assume not since Len didn't mention them, but if they are available, they are the best reflectors hands down.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I went with a satellite outer orbit integrated fixture on my 120 (also a 4 ft long tank). It sits on the edge of the tank so there is no need for a canopy and no need to drill holes in my ceiling for hooks. I like the way they look, but the downside is your limited to 150 watt HQIs, and sometimes I wish I had more powerful halides.

 

[Anonymous]

and I ordered my fixture from Marine Depot. At the time I was shopping for lighting they had the best prices on the integrated fixtures and they have free shipping on expensive orders.

 

[Len]

Are Lumenarc III or Mini's avialable in HQI? I assume not since Len didn't mention them, but if they are available, they are the best reflectors hands down.

Louey

Nope, only for mogul (probably can refit for medium base screw-in MH too).

 

[Unarce]

PGS now has Lumenarcs for HQI bulbs. They debuted the release last April at WMC.

They're slightly smaller than the Lumenarc III's, which means that the spread won't be as good. But, that would be the case for nearly every reflector when comparing single and double end bulbs.

 

[Anonymous]

Has anyone tried out any of the new LED type lights? Any review aside from what the vendor says?

 

[bleedingthought]

I went with a satellite outer orbit integrated fixture on my 120 (also a 4 ft long tank). It sits on the edge of the tank so there is no need for a canopy and no need to drill holes in my ceiling for hooks. I like the way they look, but the downside is your limited to 150 watt HQIs, and sometimes I wish I had more powerful halides.

Off topic, but good looking tank there, Pitpat! Marcos, this is the tank I mentioned in your other thread! Great dimensions!

 

[Anonymous]

Both the tank and the lights look good, although I can see why you might want 250 HQIs on that thing.

 

[Anonymous]

I realize now the decline had already started 3 years ago when I took this picture. The green color is where zooanthids used to reside, until my peppermint (yes) shrimps that I had put in to combat the beginnings of aiptasia instead ate them. The bleached anemone later shrank away. It was a daughter of the healthy looking one.

 

[Anonymous]

I have ROIII from sunlight supply in the 250 watt version. They have a new DE pendandt that lookinf interesting. I supplament with VHO actinics. Actually I should say I did supplament and plan to supplament on the next tank.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... Sunpendant

 

[Anonymous]

What do you fine folks think of this?

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... ct=CU01064

$500 Current USA SunPod 48 inch, 2x150W 14000K PowerPaq HQI Lamps & Lunar Lights

similarly, with actinic fluorescents:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... ct=CU01042

I already have lots of compact fluorescents, so if I could somehow use what I have invested in already with the first option, it might be nice.

 

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for 150 watt I think either would work.

 

[Anonymous]

I won't buy the lights until I make a final decision on the tank size, but for sake of argument let's assume this is a 75 gal 48".

 

[Anonymous]

IMO the only thing you would have to watch is if you wanted to keep SPS. With the 150's you could not keep them at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Anonymous]

IMO the only thing you would have to watch is if you wanted to keep SPS. With the 150's you could not keep them at the bottom of the tank.

nods in agreement with Wazz. Are you going to go for the high flow BB SPS type tank Marcos or more of a softie/LPS?

 

[Anonymous]

Softie.

I had clams at one point with the 400 W of PC and they did fine for several years until little white snails appeared.

 

[Anonymous]

Softie.

I had clams at one point with the 400 W of PC and they did fine for several years until little white snails appeared.

Get some durasa clams and a sixline wrasse next time.