OP
OP
pitt420dude
Aquarium Advice Addict
This is sort of a repost but I'd figure I'd update this thread as well. My lighting desires have been answered!!
Today on the way home I broke down and ordered the 48" Catalina 4x54w HO T5 fixture. It was on sale for $149.99, with lunar lights costing an extra $30 and $25 for shipping. He came down a little and I got em for $185 total. I'm really happy. He said it would take 2 or 3 weeks before he could get em to me so I have time to research, shop, and buy CO2 stuff, substrates ferts and plants.
I'm really excited about the lunar lights as I always want ot see whats going on in the tank at night, but don't want to stress the fish or wake em up.
As far as heat goes, he said not to run em with my canopy on. This kind of bummed me out but I figured it might happen. I know T5 are some ofthe coolest fixtures so I guess it's probably not good to run any fixture under a canopy?? This is not a huge issue as I tinker and rearrange stuff so much my canopy is usually off anyway, it would just be nice to run them when the tank is looking pretty with teh canopy on without having to worry about them overheating.
I think I mentioned how I lost an ebay auction for the exact same setup (in the last 30 seconds). That auction went for $15 more than I got em ($200 even) so I think I got a good deal. They're a heck of a lot cheaper than AH supply's and already made. Each bulb has it's own reflector which I really like.
Anyway I'd really like to thank you all who contributed to this thread, it really helped me learn and spot a good value. Lighting is done. Onto the other stuff.
One last question:
The guy at Catalina said that the bulbs he would suggest for plants would be 4x6,500k. I asked if 10,000 and he said to stick with teh 6,500 b/c theyre the best for plants. Is he right? I don't want my tank to look too orange/yello and would like the brighter white of the 10,000k bulbs. Is movingn from a 6,500 bulb to a 10,000 bulb a step down as far as usable plant light goes? I think the answer is "No" and I should call him back and ask to get it with 2 of each color temp.
Today on the way home I broke down and ordered the 48" Catalina 4x54w HO T5 fixture. It was on sale for $149.99, with lunar lights costing an extra $30 and $25 for shipping. He came down a little and I got em for $185 total. I'm really happy. He said it would take 2 or 3 weeks before he could get em to me so I have time to research, shop, and buy CO2 stuff, substrates ferts and plants.
I'm really excited about the lunar lights as I always want ot see whats going on in the tank at night, but don't want to stress the fish or wake em up.
As far as heat goes, he said not to run em with my canopy on. This kind of bummed me out but I figured it might happen. I know T5 are some ofthe coolest fixtures so I guess it's probably not good to run any fixture under a canopy?? This is not a huge issue as I tinker and rearrange stuff so much my canopy is usually off anyway, it would just be nice to run them when the tank is looking pretty with teh canopy on without having to worry about them overheating.
I think I mentioned how I lost an ebay auction for the exact same setup (in the last 30 seconds). That auction went for $15 more than I got em ($200 even) so I think I got a good deal. They're a heck of a lot cheaper than AH supply's and already made. Each bulb has it's own reflector which I really like.
Anyway I'd really like to thank you all who contributed to this thread, it really helped me learn and spot a good value. Lighting is done. Onto the other stuff.
One last question:
The guy at Catalina said that the bulbs he would suggest for plants would be 4x6,500k. I asked if 10,000 and he said to stick with teh 6,500 b/c theyre the best for plants. Is he right? I don't want my tank to look too orange/yello and would like the brighter white of the 10,000k bulbs. Is movingn from a 6,500 bulb to a 10,000 bulb a step down as far as usable plant light goes? I think the answer is "No" and I should call him back and ask to get it with 2 of each color temp.
