Anyone have any experience with Catalina aquarium lighting?

[Txcowboy22]

I was thinking about purchasing a 6x39 watt catalina T5 solar hood. They are made in the usa and have a 5 year warranty on the ballast. Also they say they have individual reflectors, is that true? I can get a 6 bulb set up for about $235 with there bulbs. Is this a waste or not?

[luke33]

Its a debate. They do have individual reflectors but there much like the extreme nova pro. Not the best but are much better than one large individual reflector. The workhorse ballasts will lower the life of the bulb's to around a year is also debatable. I think they would work just as well as a extreme pro which is pretty good. I wouldn't have a problem putting one on my 75g and putting sps or anything in it. They would be towards the top and i would use different bulb's as there bulb's aren't to hot imo.

[Txcowboy22]

oh yeah? I hear there bulbs are not that good, I believe I can get 10k 6500k and reg actintics, which would should I get and just keep them around for a replace rement or something. They are only willing to offer me 20 off without them....

[luke33]

Well i've seen a tank that is half actinic and half 10k and it was kinda yellow. I'd have atleast 3 bulb's that were decent ready to go and i'd replace the other three a few mths later, or do it all at the get go.

[Txcowboy22]

wheres the best place to get the bulbs?

[moprint]

reefgeek.com for bulbs

[Txcowboy22]

what would be the best bulb setup? I want grow and color
I like the blue look too....

[moprint]

Read through to get an idea or just ask Grim. He is kinda of night owl, so it might be late or early in the morning before he answers,tell him I sent you.

[seagirl]

Originally posted by moprint
reefgeek.com for bulbs

agreed

[moprint]

My link didn't show but its the the t-5 Q&A thread