i need a light ?

[Reefplumber13]

hi im new here and new to the marine set up and i need a light for my tank right now im doing fowlr but later on i might do some reef so my ? is does any one have one they want to sale or can you tell me what i should get and i dont want to buy one now and later when i go with the reef have to buy a new one so let me know thanks jeremy

 

[seedless reefer]

Well lets start with your tank size.

Power compacts are a good starter light but I recommend spending a bit more and get some good T5's which will be fine for a fish only and will allow you to keep alot of corals in the future.

 

[Reefplumber13]

sorry i forgot say its a 45gal its 48" long

 

[seedless reefer]

ok...next question....what is your budget?

Do you want new lights or do you want to find a used set?

Keep in mind that a used set will more than likely need new bulbs and that can set you back another couple of hundred.

 

[Reefplumber13]

i want what i need as long as its around or under $300 so what do you think

 

[blind1993]

i know someone who has some 48in coralife PC 4 65w bulb and moonlights. let me check how much he wants for it.

 

[Reefplumber13]

just let me know pm me and let me know

 

[wolfie]

PC are so yesterday. T5 are much much better

 

[Reefplumber13]

well if its a good price they are not that bad of a light i have heard but we will see thanks to all of you and if you have a light that would be what i need or know someone let me know

 

[wolfie]

if you buy PC light now and later get into corals, then you will waist more money to get the light upgrade.
So why waist money now and again later?

 

[Reefplumber13]

yeah i know that but the lights are not that much so it will be used so it will be way les if not ill go t-5

 

[Reefplumber13]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12772&pcatid=12772">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12772&pcatid=12772</a>

is this light a good pick or no?

 

[jetchris]

thats a good light for soft corals and LPS. Not strong enough for SPS, I would not suggest keeping SPS until you know whats up.

 

[Reefplumber13]

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~ES53406.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~ES53406.html</a>

what about this one ?

 

[sprayin70]

If you are dead set on a ready to buy fixture then this may work for you.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~SL2117~idCategory~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~~tab~0.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~SL2117~idCategory~FILTFIT58U~category~48in_Units~vendor~~tab~0.html</a>
I am an avid T-5-er. I have 8 T-5's on a 120 and I have had 6 T-5's on a 75. they work great you can keep ANY corals and less heat than MH. But they do need parabolic reflectors and a decent bulb. Good luck I hope this helps.

 

[jetchris]

 

[sprayin70]

Hey Chris I wonder how good the reflectors are in that fixture?

 

[piznac]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12772&pcatid=12772">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12772</a>[/QUOTE]

I have this fixture on my 46,.. it works great. I keep mostly softies,.. but have dabbled in sps's. I'm not sure about the "super high light light" sps's :D though.

 

[wbholwell]

I'm with Alan on this one. The key to good performance with T5's is individual parabolic reflectors and adequate cooling.