Trash can please

[Ichthy]

Trash can please

[tebstan]

That's a lot of power to start out with. How many do you plan on getting to get full coverage over such a long tank?

[Ichthy]

When I had my 75gal, another maast member told me to get those for the tank. I'm not sure. That's why I'm asking for help basically. Because I'm not sure how many of that light fixtures in the link I would need to cover the whole tank. I found a different model of it cheaper on ebay.

[tebstan]

Be careful with that ebay shopping.


Two 24" fixtures over a 72" tank might look funny with the shadows, but three fixtures might be overkill (and expensive). That light may have been recommended because you had a shorter tank at the time. Have you looked at any other LEDs since then?

[Ichthy]

I've had good luck w/ ebay shopping, everything I have bought comes to me perfect but I am trying to be careful about the lights.
I know the guy who told me to get them said he had them and had a 90 gal tank.
The only other place I have look at LEDs were in the Foster & Smith Fish catalog.
I've just dont sure what I need for the 125gal since I wanna make it a complete reef tank.
I've just been looking on ebay cause the lights listed are more in my price range.
BTW thank you for acknowledging my thread.

[txg8gxp]

What are you looking for out of a light fixture? Color, PAR output, etc. and what kind of price range

[Ichthy]

just whatever is good for corals, sps, lps, clams, etc.
something to really make the colors come out
i'm looking for something under than $460.
I was looking at the marineland leds reef capable on the back foster&smith catalog. Right now, they are on sale for $215 and I would need 2 of the 36in for the 125gal to fully cover the tank.

The catalog says "utilizes reef compatible 10,000K bulbs and more powerful 460nm actinic LEDs for a 25% boost in blue light output, ideal for setups with hight light intensity corals. Also features additional cooling ribs to keep fixture from overheating."

I'm just not sure if that's good enough cause I want to turn the 125gal into a reef tank. And right now, since it's on layaway & should be in my house by early/mid June, I have time to get advice on lights and etc.

[tebstan]

just whatever is good for corals, sps, lps, clams, etc.


Be more specific. What do you want out of the tank? Do you want a clam tank, a macro algae tank, an SPS setup, LPS dominant, nothing but softies? Or just a complete mixed reef? (Keep in mind SPS may suffer poor coloring and growth.)

That first link you posted was for a $900 fixture, and it was only 24" ...but, it was nice.

The marinelands are cheap ...but sometimes you get what you pay for.

If you want softies but like the shimmer of LEDs, the marineland light will be great. If you want higher light requirement clams and SPS, it might not cut it.

(Honestly I'm not sure about those marineland lights. They might be great. But marineland isn't what it used to be for customer service, and the cheap price tag has me a little suspicious.)

[Ichthy]

complete mixed reef ie clams, sps, lps, candy canes, spidermans, etc {dont know all the names yet}
I only posted the link cause it was first recommended to me and wasn't sure if it was good enough for a reef tank.

I haven't had bad luck w/ marineland but other than a hang-on back filter, I haven't used their products.

[txg8gxp]

For lower cost and that size tank two evolution 200w fixtures would be nice. The new 3G fixture also look nice

[tebstan]

Hmm. So you want everything. (I know that feeling.) But be realistic and go slow. What do you want Most? Or First?

What made you want LEDs in the first place?

Was it the cool shimmer, the low heat emittion, the color, the fact that they're just the next big thing?

I've heard the marineland "reef" light isn't all that great for reefs, but is great otherwise. So saving a few bucks on a mass produced LED from a company that targets freshwater customers isn't a good idea. Here's the par rating for the "reef" light:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/Krug1313/a8f07e1d.jpg
(thank reefbuilders for the image)

Now, I'm really not good at this stuff, but even I know that kinda blows.


Look for something within your budget thats still going to get the job done. If you're looking for shimmer, read about halides. If you're looking for color, read about T5s. Don't waste your time on T8s or even Power Compacts. There are way more options for a large tank that will work great until LEDs are more practical.

[tebstan]

i'm looking for something under than $460.


You won't get LEDs for that.

You might get a 4 bulb T5 setup. (On a 125, it's actually 8 36" bulbs, 4 on the left and 4 on the right. When you discuss lighting with a LFS, this is a 4 bulb setup.)

[alton]

On a 125 you would need 4 x of the Marineland LEDs. But I think the one you are looking at is the 24 to 36. You would need to get the 36 to 48 which is 36" long. I have a 36" to 48 on a 12" wide tank and it barely covers. Plus it is not blue enough, my green birdsnest is yellow and my bird of paridise doesn't look right. My candy cane look fine. You might want to start looking into used equipment or a 5' T5HO light or a used canopy with 6 - 80w T5HO lamps and reflectors.

[Ichthy]

Yeah I am being realistic and am going slow.

Candy canes, supermans, etc are going to be first after the tank has been sitting w/o fish for atleast 6months-1 year. Only thing the tank will have for the first 6 months are blue/red legged crabs and maybe some cleaner shrimp. I still need to get a sump, skimmer, refuge and alot of other things. Tank isn't even drilled yet and still in layaway. I just want to know what lights are best for a reef tank NOW instead of at "last minute" when I have all the things I need.

I dont really know anything about LEDs. The link I posted was recommended for my last tank [which was 75gal] but I still didn't know anything about LEDs other than what has been said in Foster&Smith Fish catalog and I told the guy who recommended that link to me that I wanted a complete reef tank & he told me about these but he said I should wait till I get another tank that's drilled cause my last tank wasn't and buy these lights.

I would prefer something that can go in a canopy. Hanging lights from the ceiling would freak me out that they're going to fall & crash into the tank.
Since the tank comes with a basic light fixture, I was thinking of putting the blue bulbs[can never remember the name] till I can get the fixture I need.

I did find a fixture that's 72" in long but I'm not sure if it's enough, I know the watts is higher than what Foster&Smith has.

http://cgi.ebay.com/72-T5-HO-Aquarium-Light-4x-80-watt-Reef-w-Moonlights-/260758006554?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3D LVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8779475808377303786

I know some people dont trust ebay but I have had good luck on purchasing alot of things and if there is a problem or doesn't fit or work, seller will refund money.

[tebstan]

Wow, a 72" fixture means some pretty long bulbs. You might have a hard time finding replacements for it.

[Ichthy]

The seller of the fixture also sells the replacements bulbs and told me i could find them nearly anywhere

[350gt]

Ive been happy with the simplicity of my aquatic life set up... http://www.aquaticlife.com/hid/index.html

I have the 48" over my 110 and everything has been happy.

[tebstan]

. . . told me i could find them nearly anywhere

Really?

Try. Call around.

Beware ebay shopping.

[Ichthy]

Really?

Try. Call around.

Beware ebay shopping.

Did you have bad luck with ebay or something?
I've never had bad luck with ebay.
They do have 100% full refund if you're not happy with item or incorrect item or broken item due to shipping. And paypal will help with any problems and I never buy from somebody who has 1 negative or netural feedback.
The seller on ebay does have replacement bulbs.
They're in my price range. They're the same ones that Foster&smith have in their catalog for $780. Only thing the ebay ones dont have is a timer and I'm fine with that. I can just set an alarm on my phone to turn the moonlights on.

The same ebay seller does have a 36" fixture for $199 w/ free shipping. Seemed better, atleast to me, to buy the 72" cause buying two 36" fixtures would cost the price of one 72" fixture.

[Ichthy]

Ive been happy with the simplicity of my aquatic life set up... http://www.aquaticlife.com/hid/index.html

I have the 48" over my 110 and everything has been happy.


I did look at them but they're out of my price range. I've been looking for something like that but w/ tax or shipping $450. The ones I found I think are perfect and only $400 w/ free shipping and are exactly like ones I've seen in the Foster & Smith catalog for $780 and were shown to me by a fellow MAAST/petstore member.

[StevenSeas]

Ok here is a crash course in lights. Please read this. Then reread this. Then comprehend it completely. Then ask for clarification on any specific points if needed.

High output light is not needed for your pods, bacteria, or even most algae to grow. So if you do as you say and let your tank lay barren for 6 months to a year there is no need to rush into buying these or any other lighting system right away. You can rather save up your money and tuck it away for the time when you are ready for new lighting. Also 6 months to a year in terms or reef lighting is really a long time and there can be leaps and bounds in the way that we light our tanks.

That being said, here is why I feel myself and others on here are wary of these light fixtures that you are finding off of Ebay.

1. I just looked through everything that the seller has listed on Ebay for sale and didnt see the individual bulbs from any of the fixtures on there.

2. while doing this I noticed a couple of things, the pictures for a great portion if not all of them are representing a Corallife fixture or other fixture yet, in none of the descripitions does it list a brand name. Also, there are 0 bids on every item that the seller has. If these were such a screaming hot deal I would think there would be atleast 1 bid on 1 fixture.

3. Ebay doesnt always fully represent themselves or their "goods/products" and what you get isnt always quality. If you recall you purchased a skimmer from there
that was a really good deal. It was a Seaclone protien skimmer that if I remember correctly didnt have all the parts for it. - Lesson learned just because something says its for a reef tank or reef capable it isnt, and not everything is the same as the picture, just go to McDonalds expecting to get something just like the picture, wont ever happen.

4. If these bulbs can be found nearly anywhere around town then I suggest you literally look. I know I just looked through your dear foster and smith website and none of their HO T5 bulbs are 72 inches. So what happens when one breaks, or goes out. Then you cant find one from anywhere in town, or Dr Foster&Smith, so you are forced back to this Ebay supplier. That is IF you you can find them and get contact with them again because, they dont have any of their bulbs up for auction or sale on Ebay. And IF you succeed at that then you get them shipped to you and they could break, because shipping a glass cylider that is 1/2" by 72" isn't that easy. IF they dont break then you still have to wait probably atleast a week to get the bulb in.

5. Why dont these fixtures have any sort of brand naming on them or in the description? If they are so good and can produce results why aren't they named, that way they can get more sales? They are not a tried and true product, and the only feedback you can find on them is the sellers feedback which might not even be pertaining to the product you are buying. Or, could be from frankly put people like yourself whom see a fixture that is 1/2 the cost and buy it because they figure it is the same thing only a lot better and dont thing anything more about it.

6. If you go to page by page on the sellers feedback you will notice for the first 5 or 6 pages maybe 4 or 5 of the people giving feedback have listed what it is that they bought. And by page 10 the 5 or so reviews a day has dropped dramatically but, the number that have what they bought increases. This could be coincidence, but I just smell something fishy with that.

Now onto the fact of lighting and how lighting works for the aquarium and what we need it to do.Not everything is created equal. If that was the case there wouldnt be so many brands of stuff at so many price points.
1) Starting with bulbs. The higher quality bulbs cost more. This is not because of the fact that they are a "name brand" but rather because the gases are purer and more consistent in the way that they are composed. That is why actinic (thats what the blue bulbs are called) bulbs tend to cost more, and mh bulbs that are cheap but say they are 20,000K really look about 12,000K is because the gas used to produce the blue spectrum costs more. In order to make these bulbs cheaper they dont use as much of this gas.

2) With reflectors. There are so many designs as to how to build reflectors and materials it isnt funny. But one thing everybody can agree on is that we want as much light put back into the tank as possible. That is why on almost every single name brand fixture they put that their reflector's metal has a 95% or higher reflectivity. Your ebay fixture doesnt list this or any other stat or numerical value other than length of fixture, and wattage, and number of bulbs.
Individual reflectors are better and the higher end fixtures have these (and is part of why they cost more), and your Ebay fixture does say that it has individual reflectors. However, the picture is that of one that has 8 bulbs, looks like a retrofit kit, and I am pretty sure I have seen that picture somewhere else that wasnt that website.

3) Ballasts. There are a lot of different kind of ballasts out there. I honestly dont know too much about them. However, there are different kinds, the better ones light the bulbs better and do so while drawing less energy. It says that the ones you are looking at are "highly effecient" what does that mean? What is that compared to? again not enough details and too much ambiguity.
4) Fans, it has fans, not much else is listed. How quiet are they? Where are they positioned? What are they cooling the center of the bulbs, the ballast, the end of the bulbs? How many fans are there?

5) As far as moonlighting 20watts of moonlights across 6 feet seems awefully high, especially for the kinds of LEDs depicted in the picture, which I beleive to be 5mm diodes. Enough said I dont feel that they are properly representing these.

There is a ton more that could be explained but if you have those specific questions I or anybody else on here I am sure would be able to full heartedly answer these. This should be enough to get you to hopefully start seeing the light.

[tebstan]

Awesome write up, Aggie. Sometimes it can be hard to tell someone what they don't want to hear and get them to really hear it. You put a lot of time and effort into that write up, spending your personal time on it because you want to help. Hopefully that is recognized and appreciated.




I've never had bad luck with ebay.

You've had bad luck somewhere, maybe it wasn't Ebay. Your skimmer, your HOB sump... buying things used and cheap because you're hoping its an awesome deal didn't always work out, you've admitted yourself. But if you keep shopping for cheap products and then expect someone locally to fix your problem, you're going to end up spending more in the long run. There are not many viable short cuts in this hobby. You can't expect employees at LFS to fix the junk you buy elsewhere.

[Ichthy]

Being attacked is never fun and bad to attack back.

[tebstan]

Nobody mentioned powerheads but to put "ice in a bag & let it flow on top of the water"


What does this have to do with anything else that's been mentioned here? Sometimes its hard to make any sense out of what you post so it's hard to respond in any way that satisfies your questions.




You have to consider your overall budget when you pick the size of the tank. If you can't afford all the equipment for a 125, get something smaller. And Aggies' best point, is that you don't need lights if you're not setting up a reef for 6 months. Technology changes and bulbs age, so just save your money and get something quality for a change.

[tebstan]

I was basically saying that I have had bad luck w/ my LFS cause nobody mentioned powerheads to me when I asked about my high temp. I was told by YOU to put ice in a plastic bag and let it flow which didn't do a thing.

That's a bold lie. You were talked to about power heads repeatedly. Repeatedly. But you always refused to listen to reason. You were told to lower your temp as a quick fix not a permanent cure.

Keep repeating petty comments on a public forum and see how many people want to help you. I won't waste my time trying to help you anymore, here or elsewhere.

[justahobby]

Let's get this thread back on track. "If you don't have anything nice to say......."

[Big_Pun]

ok back on track, do you plan to have a canopy on this tank? whats your price range? MH would be a great option on a tank this big and prob most cost effective, a good quality reflector and good bulbs and of course ballast, T5 are great but as i have found out more yearly maintenance buying bulbs but color is great, and of course LED which will cost more upfront. just wondering why do you want to wait so long (2013) to move into a mixed tank???

[Ichthy]

Trash can please

[Big_Pun]

cool so what are dimensions of the 27g? but one 120w reefkoi fixture should work, or even a UFO yes there is a way to get the same fixture from eBay cheap and other sites. here's my opinion what if something goes wrong with light at least with reefkoi you get a warranty and piece of mind, plus supporting a sponsor.