The Choose a Light for me Thread!

francis · Jul 20, 2011

Please if you can suggest some lights with the following (wants)

Mandatory
4+ bulbs
Individual Reflectors
24-30 inch-my tank is 29 inches, please advise!
Preferably a reputable company

Additional Plus'
Moonlights
Separate Power supplies for Timers / or Built in Timer
Built in Fan

Can anybody give me some suggestions for something that would fall into these categories? I am budgeting to spend about $200-2xx so thank you friends!

mfdrookie516 · Jul 20, 2011

I have 5 of these... for the money, you can't beat them IMO.

30in 4Bulbs fixtures

They have individual reflectors, remote ballasts, and you can get a hanging kit if you want. They also come with bulbs, which a lot of fixtures don't it seems.

francis · Jul 20, 2011

I've seen those before, it was Carey suggesting them. What exactly is a external ballast and what does it do in terms of being external

Also is there a fan in that?

If its a good solid light then I have no problem saving $100 but what is the difference in those from say equally low cost lights like odyssea? (spellcheck)
Thank you for taking the time to answer

edit: I also noticed that you are in freshwater tanks, I wanted to keep my options open for saltwater corals. I hope that doesnt change anything

carey · Jul 20, 2011

Some options

Current USA 30" Sundial T-5 Fixture 4x24W + LED - AquaCave

HO T5 Aquarium Light Fixture: Coralife Lunar Aqualight HO T5 Aquarium Light Fixture
AquaticLife T5 HO Light Link Fixture - Marine

mfdrookie516 · Jul 20, 2011

francis said:
I've seen those before, it was Carey suggesting them. What exactly is a external ballast and what does it do in terms of being external Also is there a fan in that?

If its a good solid light then I have no problem saving $100 but what is the difference in those from say equally low cost lights like odyssea? (spellcheck)
Thank you for taking the time to answer

edit: I also noticed that you are in freshwater tanks, I wanted to keep my options open for saltwater corals. I hope that doesnt change anything

Well, I've not read any reviews about fishneedit lights burning down houses... Odyssea fixtures used to be crap... I've read that they upped their game lately, but I won't ever own one.

As far as fw vs sw, it doest change anything... A 4x24w t5ho is a 4x24w t5ho, the bulb choices would be the only difference

francis · Jul 20, 2011

Luky · Jul 21, 2011

I have 36" 4 bulb T5 HO fixtures for sale... brand new. $130 + shipping. You would have to decide if 36" is too long for your tank. I just put a 36" on my tank (that is 32.5" long) and it looks OK. The end couple of inches are the end caps and don't really light up anyway (so you are not really "lighting the wall"). I went for the 36" (rather than a 30") because it was more of a standard size and would put more light in my tank. I think a 24" would have been too small for my tank... Really up to you... You could always buy a fixture locally, try it on for size and return it...

mfdrookie516 · Jul 21, 2011

francis said:
(I decided to get 24" instead of a 30" which would fit my tank because I believe that is a odd size fixture and would just cause headaches later) - The man at the LFS also said something like the extra length would technically just be lighting up the walls

Choosing from those because they are all 24" can you tell me which one to pick?

TEK LIGHT T-5, 24" Light Fixture 4 x 24W lamps by Sunlight Supply* - AquaCave
NOVA Extreme 24" T-5 Fixture 4 x 24W by Current USA - AquaCave
Current USA 30" Sundial T-5 Fixture 4x24W + LED - AquaCave
JBJ 24" TRINITY 4 x 24W High Output T5 Light Fixture - AquaCave
Aquatic Life 24" 4-Lamp 4 x 24W T5 HO Light Fixture - AquaCave
Aquatic Life 24" 6-Lamp 6 x 24W T5 HO Light Fixture - AquaCave
SUN BLAZE T-5, 24" Light Fixture 4 x 24W lamps by Sunlight Supply* - AquaCave
Finnex 24" LED/T5 Combo Aluminum Light Fixture 4 x T5 + 9 x LED - AquaCave
WavePoint 24" T-5 Light Fixture 4 x 24 W - AquaCave
CoralVue 4 Bulb T5/LED Fixture 24" , 5 high power 1 watt LEDs, hanging kit, & legs - AquaCave

I'm sorry theres so many links but yeah >< I need help

30" fixtures have 24" bulbs.. at least, the majority do.

Ray_Dockrey · Jul 21, 2011

Actually if it is aT5 or T5HO then most 30 inch fixtures have 30 inch bulbs. I guess they decided that T5 was being used mostly for aquariums so they decided to make the bulb length the same as most popular aquarium sizes.

mfdrookie516 · Jul 21, 2011

That's not the case for my 3 30" fixtures... both nova extremes and fishneedit fixtures... all have 24" bulbs. I'm sure there are SOME... but the majority are 24"

carey · Jul 21, 2011

Yep, my 30" takes a 24" bulb as well.

I just like that the hood covers the tank from end to end instead of there being dead space.

francis · Jul 21, 2011

Mmmm I see that is very interesting. I was staying away from the 30 inches because I thought I would be restricted to buy the bulbs from the light manufacturer. If thats the case I am just paying for extra hood coverage?

If nobody wants to pick a light then someone just reassure me that if I pick any of those listed I can't go wrong

thank you

Bige · Jul 21, 2011

Aquarium t5 lights come in 9, 18, 24, 48, and 54 inches. Only the 24 inch and above come in other varities beside 6700, 10000 and actinic. There are a few other sizes but they are not common. So, if you get a 60 inch fixture, it still uses 54 inch lights. Also, T-5 means the diameter of the light. So you can have a t-5 compact fluorescent light.

Personally, the fixture that rookie suggested, is a great price for 4 24" t-5 fixture.

francis · Jul 21, 2011

And what about in terms of quality and reliability? And what about 36" fixtures, those have 36" lightbulbs right?

(Should I just get the 36" Wavepoint Fixture that the one person is selling?)

francis · Jul 21, 2011

Would it be a bad idea to get a larger light than my tank? My tank is 29 inches, possibly could get a 36"

Luky · Jul 21, 2011

I think it is purely cosmetic (and your preference). Are you OK with the look of the fixture overhanging the ends of the tank? I didn't want to do it, but my wife said it looked OK and after a week I am used to it and it looks fine (on my tank). The other thing is you will get more wattage (and I suppose Lumens) from the 36" bulbs, rather than 30" or 24"...

I will try to post a pic of my tank later.

carey · Jul 21, 2011

Me, I'd stick to the size of my tank. Not smaller and not bigger. BUT I'm an odd person and it would bother me LOL. You may be fine with it hanging over, it's kinda up to you. Youre getting the same light amt on the 24" or the 30" so it's just the extra $$ for it to fit exactly.

francis · Jul 21, 2011

Thanks luky that would be awesome! SADLY I AM CONSIDERING LEDS OMG. Do I need to buy a chiller? If I do I'm thinking I could get decent LED's for $300 and just go that route. What does everyone think?

francis · Jul 21, 2011

AGAIN I'M SORRY FOR POSTING SO MANY DARN LIGHT THREADS D;

I don't even know how to choose LED's either in terms of watts or par or whatever :/

picture of what i work so hard for!

mfdrookie516 · Jul 21, 2011

The 36" fixture would be fine... plus, if you ever upgrade tanks, if it's 36", you won't have to buy a new fixture. It'll look a bit off, but really, it doesn't matter. I've used 36" fixtures on 30" tanks in the past. Now I have all the appropriate sized fixtures. It's all about preferecne.

The Choose a Light for me Thread!

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