Trash can please

[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:

(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-Aquariu...75808377303786

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.