30" lighting help, plleeeeeeeaaaaaaassseee!

[phrog]

I need to purchase a new fixture for my 30 gallon mixed reef. I currently have a dual lamp Glo brand T5 fixture that will be moved to my wife's 20 gallon fowlr setup. There aren't a lot of options for 30" fixtures and I'm looking for info on what online retailers are good, 24" fixtures that will fit (might have an option to hang it), and an explanation on why I should spend more money on T5 versus the Odyssea power compact 130w fixture I found for well under $100.

Really any help will be greatly appreciated.

[rockmp]

What are you going to be keeping in it? SPS? LPS? What are the dimensions of the tank?

[justahobby]

For a mixed reef, T5 will be oh-so worth it. For one thing, the bulbs last much longer. You also get better color combos and light penetration. I would go for 3-4 (24") bulbs on a 30g.

[FireWater]

For a mixed reef, T5 will be oh-so worth it. For one thing, the bulbs last much longer. You also get better color combos and light penetration. I would go for 3-4 (24") bulbs on a 30g.
Agree w/ Justin on this one. If you run a 24" t-5 fixture you can hang it easily over the tank by building a bracket that attaches to the stand. That way you won't have to worry about holes in the wall. There are several good fixtures out there - just remember that you usually get what you pay for. Look for quality ballasts and individual reflectors. Cooling fans are nice but, not a necessity right off the bat - TEK fixtures have been some of the best on the market for a long time.

[cbianco]

I need to purchase a new fixture for my 30 gallon mixed reef. I currently have a dual lamp Glo brand T5 fixture that will be moved to my wife's 20 gallon fowlr setup. There aren't a lot of options for 30" fixtures and I'm looking for info on what online retailers are good, 24" fixtures that will fit (might have an option to hang it), and an explanation on why I should spend more money on T5 versus the Odyssea power compact 130w fixture I found for well under $100.

Really any help will be greatly appreciated.

Don't fear Chris is here!!! FTW, lolololololol.

I love T5s.

You can grow anything, change the color of your tank and and use less wattage than MH, all in one pop.

Aquatraders fixtures are not known for their quality and to catch on fire among other things; buyer beware. Google "aquatraders odyssea junk." (or similar)

Buy this, be happy!

http://www.aquactinics.com/images/TX5_1.jpg

http://www.aquactinics.com/pages/TX5.html

Christopher :)

[phrog]

Thanks for the info. I definitely wanted to know opinions about sites like aquatraders. The aquactinics fixture looks great but is way out of my budget. Any other suggestions?

The tank foot print is 30x12, 16" deep.

[justahobby]

Is retro out of the question? You could always linger around the FS section until a good deal comes up ... if you can wait. That's your best bet if you are on a budget, but want quality. Fishneedit.com has reasonable T5 fixtures, but you won't be getting individual reflectors, quality bulbs, etc. Cheapies will work and you will grow plenty, it just won't be as good as it could be....

[cbianco]

Some budget systems to consider...

All of the following systems can be had for ~$250-$300

Wave Point 4x24W T5 HO Light Fixture
Current USA SunDial 4x24W T5 HO Light Fixture w/ Timers & LED
AquaticLife 4x24 Watt T5 HO Light Fixture

For a ready to go fixture with bulbs (that I trust), it doesn't get much cheaper than these.

If you need cheaper, you may consider retro kits (as justahobby mentioned) and build a hood to place them in.

Let us know if you need further assistance, we love spending other peoples money!!! :)

Christopher :)

[justahobby]

Let us know if you need further assistance, we love spending other peoples money!!! :)

Christopher :)

Sure do! :D

Chris pegged the price range:
http://www.aquacave.com/wavepoint-24-t-5-light-brfixture-4-x-24-w-2561.html
http://www.aquacave.com/current-usa-30-sundial-br-t-5-fixture-4x24w--led-2362.html


This one might be worth researching for $129 including bulbs by sunlight supply

http://www.aquacave.com/sun-blaze-t-5-24-lightbr-fixture-4-x-24w-lampsbr-by-sunlight-supply-2134.html

[cbianco]

This one might be worth researching for $129 including bulbs by sunlight supply

http://www.aquacave.com/sun-blaze-t-5-24-lightbr-fixture-4-x-24w-lampsbr-by-sunlight-supply-2134.html

The bulbs are an additional $49 bringing the total up to $180. This fixture is not fanned cooled, only air cooled. As well, there is no splash guard (clear acrylic sheet protecting bulbs) on this model nor does the fuxture allow for one.

I looked at this fixture a while back. :)

Just saying...lol

Christopher
Christopher

[justahobby]

Thanks for clearing it up... I'll go back to my hole now : P

[cbianco]

Thanks for clearing it up... I'll go back to my hole now : P

Sorry bud, I just got a little overly enthusiastic.

Christopher :)

[phrog]

Good info, thanks y'all. I was hoping to avoid prices quite so high but I don't want to spend more money later because I bought garbage now.

I found this: http://www.petsolutions.com/Wave-Point-HO-4-Lamp-T-5+I55501001+C33.aspx It has individual reflectors but no fans. The fixture will not be enclosed so heat shouldn't be an issue.

This one also: http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&siId=1381775&catParentID=57011&scId=57011&ctl_nbr=3684&utm_source=Froogle&utm_campaign=FroogleUSA+Datafeed&utm_medium=Comparison+Shopping&CAWELAID=388702946
I can't tell if it has a splash guard.

For a 30g, will a 150watt MH be overkill? Will I have heat issues?

[cbianco]

Glad to see that you don't want to make the same purchase twice phrog.

If I had to choose, I would go with the Current model (I've seen them around more on the forums and few complaints). JMO.

I don't think a 150 watt MH would be overkill for a 30 gallon. If only running a MH bulb and no supplemental lighting, I would run a higher color temperature (14,000-20,000K) in order to get blue into the tank. If you prefer a crisper look run a 10,000-12,000K.

Before you buy, post your item and price here (http://www.maast.org/forumdisplay.php?100-Ask-a-MAAST-Sponsor-a-question) to see if one of our sponsors can match or beat the price (they support MAAST). :)

Christopher

[phrog]

Found a long list of pretty good reviews for fishneedit.com. Mostly positive stuff with some constructive criticisms. A number of people suggested purchasing higher quality bulbs but raved about the fixtures.

[jrsatx20]

The wave point I think it has only one plug. So all bulbs come on at one time

[FireWater]

Out of the ones that have been mentioned so far I would pick the Nova Extreme. I ran the 48" model over my 90g and had no issues. Does not have individual reflectors but, the reflector is bent around each bulb so that helps. Fixture has a splash shield and fans - both are good things. I would definitely purchase new and better bulbs right off the bat - the ones they come with are not of great quality. Hope this helps

[glennr1978]

I'm using a 30" sundial T5 fixture over my 20L mixed reef. It's great for softies, LPS, and lower light SPS but it lacks the power needed for more light demanding SPS. For example, my various birdsnest colonies are doing great (growning like crazy, good colors), but my acro frags and milli's do nothing but encrust. Coloring is decent on all my corals but growth on the higher light SPS is marginal at best.

Fwiw, my bulb combo goes as follows: ATI blue +, UVL aquasun, ATI blue +, ATI aquablue special.

[rockmp]

Aquatraders fixtures are not known for their quality and to catch on fire among other things; buyer beware. Google "aquatraders odyssea junk." (or similar)


Christopher :)

This is old information. The new ballasts are a lot better and do not catch on fire as the old ones did. I have a 24" 250w mh/2 65w CF fixture and I am growing everything. My tank is 24" deep and am growing SPS on the sand bed. I did have to switch out bulbs.

[ballardjr2000]

My bud also has a aquatraders fixture on his 37 250w mh with 2 cfls grew all kinds of coral. however he changed the bulb out with a phoniex 14k the ballast fired it just fine and looks even better with that bulb.