Caitlynn's 75 gallon reef build!

[caitlynnanne9189]

moonlighting is just for us, the fish and coral dont care. lol

I'm not sure how the setup is for the fixture youre talking about. If it has a single cord then there should be a timer. If there are not separate controls for the blue and white then pass on that fixture.

This is the fixture Carey, and are moonlights the LED?

http://www.marineandreef.com/WavePoint_48_T5_HO_4_Lamp_Aquarium_Retrofit_Kit_p/RWP01021.htm

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

You deff want separate control of blues and whites makes things a lot nicer if possible one with a timer that you can set both set of lights with.

I wanted the timer built in for ease but mr x brought up a good point that if it does have a timer and it goes bad im pretty much SOL unless I can fix the bad timer so now I'm a bit skeptical about built in timers.

Has anyone else experienced that happening?

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

Yeah well put mr. X. I have found it nice to be able just to use the blues at times or at least have the option too.

I think even though it's not necessary for the fish and corals that I would enjoy being able to adjust them just purely for aesthetics.

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

Ok so I need opinions.

1) the four light fixture seems to not have the ability to change the bulbs that are on, it's all on or all off. Which I know isint a necessity but I think I'd like the ability to adjust that.

2) I found 2 retrofits I like: which one??

http://www.aquacave.com/VUE660-48-4-Lamp-Complete-T-5-Retrofit-Kit--P1780C314.aspx

http://www.aquacave.com/Hamilton-Te...48-54W-High-Output-T5-with-LED-P3043C321.aspx

My favorite is the second one but I wanna see what everyone thinks!

 

[carey]

If i had to choose between them I would pick the second one.

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

If i had to choose between them I would pick the second one.

I like the LEDs on it! Are the beneficial or just pretty? Lol

 

[carey]

Just pretty.

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

Just pretty.

Alright! I think I like those best unless you can suggest anything?

 

[carey]

Found this

Sunlight Supply T5 Retrofit System & Kit

This is the one I have

Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 10k/460nm Actinics

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

Found this

Sunlight Supply T5 Retrofit System & Kit

This is the one I have

Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 10k/460nm Actinics

I almost decided on what you have but then it says don't place under a canopy and I want it under my canopy do I decided against it :/

The top one you posted is good my only concern is it dosnt say how wide it is and I have like 16 inches under the canopy for the lights

 

[Rutrag]

I have the Aquatic Life fixture for my 75. I'm pretty sure they sell the timer part through their website. One of the reasons I liked it was for the fact it had only one cord plus the fact i got it $200 off for missing a bulb and slipcover. It has three banks of lights: 2 T5s (blue), 4 T5s (white), and LEDs (night). I don't think it would work under a canopy though as it uses fans to cool the t5s and a canopy would interfere with circulation. You can hang it though.

 

[mr_X]

If you used a hole saw and opened up the side of your canopy, and put a grate over it so it looked nice..some kind of vent from home depot or lowes, you could use the nova pro or AL fixture.

 

[Ibrahim]

If you used a hole saw and opened up the side of your canopy, and put a grate over it so it looked nice..some kind of vent from home depot or lowes, you could use the nova pro or AL fixture.

Yeah that's sorta what I have in my canopy. I can get a pic soon

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

Yeah that's sorta what I have in my canopy. I can get a pic soon

Alright I'll wait for a pic.

 

[Ibrahim]

Alright I'll wait for a pic.

Here you go the little pegs at the side keep the canopy from falling off and are like a shelve for me to put the fixture on. It's a Nova extreme 4 bulb t5

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

Here you go the little pegs at the side keep the canopy from falling off and are like a shelve for me to put the fixture on. It's a Nova extreme 4 bulb t5

That's not bad! I'm going to have to see what I want! I like the idea of the lights attached to the canopy top but I also want a better lighting system. One with credibility :/

 

[mr_X]

Those retros you linked are fine to use. I wouldn't worry about them failing.

 

[caitlynnanne9189]

Those retros you linked are fine to use. I wouldn't worry about them failing.

Really! That makes me excited! I might order those once income tax comes back!

 

[scottayy]

You don't HAVE to have expensive and credible lights
Check out this thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f60/cheap-led-solution-186459.html

It looks pretty cool and practical. I don't know much about it like mr_x would, such as par readings and such lol.

On my 55 I have a canopy and t5ho lights. I have holes drilled in the back of the canopy (towards the wall, can't see them) and a little office fan mounted in there connected to the timer so it comes on when the lights do. Does really well.

 

[scottayy]

btw, thread title is very misleading now lol
happens to me all the time too