30" lighting help, plleeeeeeeaaaaaaassseee!

[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-Poi...01001+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...LAID=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.ph...sor-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.