Which light should I get?

[ronone10]

Is UL approved important to you? I emailed Aquatraders and their lights are not UL approved. Food for thought.

 

[user 2204]

What does UL mean?

Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) is a nationally recognized, nonprofit safety-testing agency for the US. UL is also affiliated with the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (CUL).

The National Electrical Code, as well as laws in the majority of states, requires that lamps and fixtures be tested by a recognized, independent safety-testing agency before they can be legally sold and installed. Electricians in some areas will refuse to install non-UL fixtures.

When shopping for lamps and fixtures, look for the term "UL Listed." And don't be fooled by statements like "All fixtures are manufactured from UL-approved components."

•Our fixtures conform to UL standards, are tested as a complete unit, and bear the UL label.

•UL and the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (CUL) are partners in safety testing for all of North America. All Rejuvenation exclusive fixtures are UL and CUL listed.

 

[user 2204]

Here is a nice Sunlight Supply fixture for $300. Always remember that this hobby can be an expensive one.
Have you ever thought of going with a retrofit T5 set up?

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...igh-Output_Fixture_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

 

[user 2204]

i didn't even notice that good catch.

*lol* Yeah, I read all the fine print. I also know how those crappy bulbs can look. And even when I bought all these nice cool bulbs with my retrofit I still found myself buying a few different bulbs to see what kind of color I could get.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[user 2204]

I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive light, which means no metal halide. How many t-5s would I need on a 75 gallon to be able to keep just about any SPS/clams etc that I decided to try?

Try asking your question over on Reef Centrals T5 Q&A forum. Grim Reefer can maybe point you in the right direction.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1706461

 

[Skimmy]

Why would you get the TEK over the Nova extreme? Each has 8 bulbs but the nova is cheaper, it has legs, and moonlights. From what I read, it sounds like both those brands are much more expensive. I guess I didn't say it, but price is a big factor

because rumor has it Current USA is either going out of business, or discontinuing all their light fixtures except the LED's.
plus they are big and ugly.

 

[Skimmy]

I totally agree that you get what you pay for. Unfortunately I'm in college and spending $500 plus on a light just wont work for me So it's a good consensus that I need something with at least 6 t5s? What would I be able to grow under 4 t5s in a 75 gal?

you would be able to keep sps, but the fixture would have to sit on the aquarium rim, and you would only be able to keep sps in the first top 6-8" of the tank.

I grew out crazy rare sps (oregon tort, red plannet, tyree l.e. sunset monti, rainbow monti, superman monti) in a 15g nano with a 24" 4 bulb t5 tek light. and the growth and coloration was awesome. granted I think the corals care more about flow, water purity, and element levels than lighting.

 

[darklcd]

maybe I just got lucky with mine but I got my fixture from ebay and I think I paid 250.00 or so and its worked great granted its not the best fixture going but its working and working rather well

 

[mcvicker]

I would get a retro kit from reef geek with the bulbs. Get 4 now and then add 2 in a year or so when you get some more funds. That way it is expandable and you aren't wasting money on a cheap fixture you will most likely replace in a year or so anyway.
-chris

 

[fatboyt123]

I would get a retro kit from reef geek with the bulbs. Get 4 now and then add 2 in a year or so when you get some more funds. That way it is expandable and you aren't wasting money on a cheap fixture you will most likely replace in a year or so anyway.
-chris

This probably the best idea right here.

 

[user 2204]

I purchased my retrofit for a 20 long from ReefGeek and couldn't be more happy with it.

 

[badger126]

From what I've seen the retro kits aren't any more affordable than buying a decent light. If someone can point me to one let me know. I have the housing in my old 48" Nova PC light and that would be great just to upgrade it. I'd probably just stick with PCs but I found out that 2 of my ballasts of 4 are burned out and I don't wanna spend all the money on ballasts and bulbs if I wanna upgrade to t5s anyways.

 

[fatboyt123]

http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem...IC1511&child=IC1535&tab=2&style=4 Lamp&size=4'

 

[fatboyt123]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

 

[fatboyt123]

You could also make your own retro. by the ballast on here in the sale forums or some where else (RC). Usually sale new 660 for $75 if your lucky. Then buy the sockets and standofsf which you can sometimes find in the sale forums, then all you need is to order new bulbs. Dont know how much you could save doing it this way but just a thought as you could peice it together by time if you dont have all the cash right now.

 

[fatboyt123]

I didnt look at the link spllbnd2 showed but thats a nice fixture with 2 more bulbs then the retro i showed and its not really that much more. I dont know if that one came with bulbs though.

Like i said i am running the 4 bulb version over my 55 and it does great with sps.

 

[user 2204]

Yes you are correct, the one I referenced does not come with bulbs. *lol*

The Reef Geek retro you show is awesome as it does not use the Ice Cap ballast and uses a HO T5 ballast. I've ready over on RC that it is not a wise idea to Overdrive T5's as it greatly diminishes there life span.

 

[fatboyt123]

While you can look at it 2 ways


1. You over drive the bulbs giving you more par which in turn could alow you not to use as many bulbs but it almost cuts the bulbs life in half.

2. You have to use more bulbs but it saves you money every year when you only have to replace you bulbs once rather then twice.

So i guess you get to choose which you want.

They sell one that has the icecap i belive. the retro Very High Output rather then just High Output.

 

[user 2204]

Can't believe that I forgot about these guys. and it is only $200.

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1824&HS=1

 

[diverphil71]

Try hellolights.com they have cheap retro fit stuff.