Which light

[rm86100]

So finally after searching for a light I have narrowed my choices to 2.

Current USA PowerCompact Dual Satellite Fixture
or
Coralife Aqualight Power Compact Fixture w/ Lunar Blue-Moon-Glow LED Lamps

What do you guys think? One of them is alot cheaper than the other.

Whatever feedback/opinions you guys may have would be great? I hope to have anemones and some corals in the future. I have a 38 gal tank.

-Ricardo

 

[thominil]

A 38g is rather tall, so PC would be absolutely pointless IMO. Look into T5 or MH. This fixture: 36" 6x39W Nova Extreme PRO T5HO 3x10k/3x460nm Actinics by Current USA*(1080) - AquaCave will allow you to keep anemones and softies, LPS, and SPS. Some SPS may need to be placed in the uper parts of your tank.

 

[rm86100]

A 38g is rather tall, so PC would be absolutely pointless IMO. Look into T5 or MH. This fixture: 36" 6x39W Nova Extreme PRO T5HO 3x10k/3x460nm Actinics by Current USA*(1080) - AquaCave will allow you to keep anemones and softies, LPS, and SPS. Some SPS may need to be placed in the uper parts of your tank.

My tank is around 15" tall. Thanks for your input. I like the T5 better too. Is the difference the amount of watts?

-Ricardo

 

[HN1]

Ricardo- what are the dimensions (h,w,l) of the tank. 15" height doesn't sound right for a 38.

 

[rm86100]

Ricardo- what are the dimensions (h,w,l) of the tank. 15" height doesn't sound right for a 38.

15x36x12 are the dimensions.

Now that you mention it I have not checked it so it may be off. Thanks
-Ricardo

 

[rm86100]

I just checked, its a 28, not 38. will that make a difference??

 

[HN1]

It does make quite a bit of difference when it comes to lighting requirements. You can probably do just about any softie or LPS with the lights you posted, but I agree that the T5 may be a better option since they will allow you to keep most anything you want down the road.

 

[rm86100]

It does make quite a bit of difference when it comes to lighting requirements. You can probably do just about any softie or LPS with the lights you posted, but I agree that the T5 may be a better option since they will allow you to keep most anything you want down the road.

Thanks a lot for your input. BTW how will I know if corals are captive raised? and how do I know if whoever is selling is telling me the truth?

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[HN1]

Thanks a lot for your input. BTW how will I know if corals are captive raised? and how do I know if whoever is selling is telling me the truth?

You really won't. It ends up being a matter of finding a trusted source. There are some larger operators (ORA especially) that sell aquacultured almost exclusively to the LFSs so ask them. As far as buying from individuals, most "frags" will be captive raised even though the mother colony may have been harvested. Watch out for some on ebay who basically buy large colonies just to chop them up and sell off. Most of those were originally wild harvested.

 

[rm86100]

You really won't. It ends up being a matter of finding a trusted source. There are some larger operators (ORA especially) that sell aquacultured almost exclusively to the LFSs so ask them. As far as buying from individuals, most "frags" will be captive raised even though the mother colony may have been harvested. Watch out for some on ebay who basically buy large colonies just to chop them up and sell off. Most of those were originally wild harvested.

Thanks for the info!