What fixture?

Maxi · #1 09/03/2007, 09:48 PM

I'm starting my 26g bowfront soon, as some of you know.
I got told to get the 24" aquatinics fixture, but I don't know which one I got told to get, there is around 3 that are 24" and are aquatinics.
I'm getting a RBTA and I saw this light
The aquatinic 24" tx5 series
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...oducts_id=1605
And then I saw the MH/T5 24" combo fixture but I don't like it because its going to cost me 500$... and I don't want to spend that on a light.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...roducts_id=587
but I also like the ones drsfoster&smith have.. much cheaper

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113175

Or whatever else you guys can reccomend that doesn't pass the 300$ mark.. much better..

Thank you for your help.
-Maxi

jc9394 · #2 09/04/2007, 01:12 PM

Tek Light?

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

Maxi · #3 09/04/2007, 03:55 PM

The tek light doesn't have actinic lights in it, so it won't be good for a reef?
I called drs foster and smith and they told me this would be a good one.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...1&N=2004&Nty=1

But then I thought about it, and I figured since this was my last tank for a long time.. why not get this one?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...1&N=2004&Nty=1

If you can reccomend one, much cheaper, I would appreciate it.
Thank you
-Maxi

littleshark · #4 09/04/2007, 04:08 PM

light fixture
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=337
all kinds of light
http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ATS&Category=9
I love this site. they give good items and theyre cheap. its just that sometimes they run out of items.

Maxi · #5 09/04/2007, 04:41 PM

Wow! Thank you little shark! With that price, I'm defenetley getting the 380 watt one! twice as cheap than on drs.f&s.

phender · #6 09/04/2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxi
The tek light doesn't have actinic lights in it, so it won't be good for a reef?
..............If you can reccomend one, much cheaper, I would appreciate it.
Thank you
-Maxi

The Tek lights are pretty much the state of the art T5 reef fixture. The Reefgeek deal is about the best around. They charge everyone else's "sale" price for the fixture and then give you any bulbs you want for free. (That is about $100 value)
Normally Tek light and Aquatinic fixtures are sold without bulbs. You choose the type of bulbs you want, including actinic.

littleshark · #7 09/04/2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxi
Wow! Thank you little shark! With that price, I'm defenetley getting the 380 watt one! twice as cheap than on drs.f&s.

yup no problem. I buy most of my marine items there since they're cheap. you even get free bulbs

The only thing i dont like is that theyre not gurantee.. I got my PC fixture and it worked great.

Maxi · #8 09/04/2007, 05:24 PM

Just wondering, won't that fry the tank? :s
I won't be needing a chiller, right? My house is at 74-75 deg farenheit ALWAYS.

littleshark · #9 09/04/2007, 05:57 PM

It should be about good. Try using fans to blow the top of ur water if the waters getting hot..

Maxi · #10 09/04/2007, 08:23 PM

The light has fans by looking at the picture.

2 of them.
I will try to order it as soon as possible.. really cheap for a good light like that one.

jc9394 · #11 09/04/2007, 08:29 PM

Becareful with Odyssea (aquatrader) fixture, you get what you pay. There is a hugh tread at RC here about them Stay away anything with CF, they are not as efficient as T5.

Check out Outer Orbit, they are really good for the money.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113352

jc9394 · #12 09/04/2007, 08:34 PM

Here is the link to Odyssea fixture.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...&pagenumber=35

Maxi · #13 09/04/2007, 09:58 PM

Oh I see, so the CF is not a good thing.

That kind of made my face from finding such a cheap price "

" go to "

"

I do like the orbit one though, but its really gnna make me get on a bad mood lol. Do I get the 246watt one or the 364watt?

Maxi · #14 09/04/2007, 10:03 PM

Or do i get this one?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113030

couple more watts than the cheaper orbit light.

jc9394 · #15 09/05/2007, 07:57 AM

150 watt of HQI is plenty for 26gal. IMO, I rather get a HQI with T5 instead of CF.

Some T5 last 2 years while CF only last around 8-10 months.

I will recommend to get a T5 fixture instead if HQI unless you want the shimmer effect of HQI. T5 runs about 5-10 degrees cooler than HQI.

jc9394 · #16 09/05/2007, 07:58 AM

Some of Coralife/Aqualight share the same hardware as Odyssea.

Maxi · #17 09/06/2007, 01:46 PM

Thanks for the replies. Before I make my purchase, does this one have a chance?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12772
If it doesn't, I guess I'm going to end up with this one..the 246watt one
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...6&pcatid=15486

Thank you
-Maxi

Maxi · #18 09/06/2007, 08:30 PM

Before I do buy it.. its 400 dollars you know.. isn't that... too much for a 24" fixture?

Maxi · #19 09/06/2007, 10:34 PM

Sorry for asking all these questions over and over again.. Just want to spend my money the right way.

I found this one... but its not t5
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=15690
Also found this one
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=13637
Also found this one.....
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=13733
Can someone please tell me if this one is useful? Drsfoster and smith told me I would need at least 120 watts of light..
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12772

jc9394 · #20 09/07/2007, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxi
Before I do buy it.. its 400 dollars you know.. isn't that... too much for a 24" fixture?

I probably spent close to 600 for my 24" Maristar fixture and very happy with it.

jc9394 · #21 09/07/2007, 07:51 AM

I would go with T5 fixture as they are more intense and the bulb last twice as long as CF.

The "Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights" you list will be fine on your tank if you only intend to keep bta and softies. I will not put a clam under it.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...72&pcatid=12772

While both Tek and Aquactinics cost more than Nova Extreme, but you can keep anything under them
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...de=Aquactinics

One thing I suggest is get the best light you can afford to avoid upgrade down the road.

Maxi · #22 09/07/2007, 02:27 PM

Guess you are right. To avoid buying any new fixtures in the future, I guess I'll get the outer orbit pro series.
I'll try this weekend.. will have to argue a lot to spend my money on this..

onecrzyboi4u · #23 09/07/2007, 03:16 PM

jc9394- i have that same light fixture. the nova extreme. got the clam when it was small. it's trippled in size since i have gotten it. i have hard and soft corals and there all growing with no issues.

snulma1 · #24 09/07/2007, 04:35 PM

Hey Maxi,

Don't shy away from the odyssea fixture! I have the 24" fixture and I love it! The only down side is I had to swap out the PC bulbs for better ones (20 dollars for 2 from helolights) and then swap out the stock MH ballast for one that was more effecient (which I had laying around, but others did for around 100 dollars). And after all that it was still cheaper then most of the other fixtures on the market!

Also read that thread about the fixture, alot of people had modded theirs to take VHO bulbs and T5's. But you are only using those for supplementation anyway!

Maxi · #25 09/07/2007, 06:13 PM

Yippee! Another argument in my head

The nova extreme, odyssea, or the orbit!