Newbie looking for lighting advice

[pnyxxpress]

OK I'm learning the ropes and the lingo, but still don't have a clue.

My wife and I went LFS hopping today. We both agree we like white light with only touch of blue. Our tank is an AG 72x24x30 and will be SPS. Most of the tanks we were looking at today were acrlic so I'm assumming the same light would look different on my tank.

I've been researching a MARISTAR HO HQI T5 COMBO FIXTURE. It has an option of 2 different ballest. I'm clueless what the diffrence is.

Another one..don't laugh when you see the ebay link.
Ebay
A friend of mine took a chance on this item and he is very happy with his decision.


This a only couple of lights I have looked at. So I'm open for suggestions .
Thanks

[plummike]

I bought a 3) 250 watt mh with 4) 96 watt Compacts for color and I think 12 moonlights. It was about $500. It performs as well as my Hamilton Hood for less than half the cost.

[RobbyG]

Dont buy lights based on just what you think looks good, you need to read about the different spectrums of light that are needed for corals to grow properly. I suggest you search out the numerous posts on the subject and base your lighting on a carefull analysis of what you will be putting in the tank, what you might want to add in the future and then get some lighting recommendations based on that.

[pnyxxpress]

Originally posted by plummike
I bought a 3) 250 watt mh with 4) 96 watt Compacts for color and I think 12 moonlights. It was about $500. It performs as well as my Hamilton Hood for less than half the cost.

Is this the same light I linked to Ebay? If so would you please provide the manufacturer name.

Thanks

[Lumamae]

That's a Aquatraders's MH/PC combo fixture. AKA Odyssea, Jebo, "Fire Hazzard". Do a search on Aquatraders under this Lighting forum and also under the Vendor Experience forum, and you will see the feedback about this company that imports these fixtures from China.

Stick with the Maristar, one of the nicest MH/T5 combo lighthoods made. Made in USA. They use excellent reflectors behind both the MH and T5 bulbs, so excellent reflective % of each bulb back into your tank.

[jcltok]

RobbiG is right on target about finding out the needs of your corals and then buying what you need to buy in terms of equipment. Look up Dana Riddle's literature and that will help.

Don't spend so much money on equipment and corals without thinking it through. Learning by doing will cost so much that many hobbyists give up the hobby. Reading and learning will save lots of money!!

Regards,

[CruzinKim]

Originally posted by pnyxxpress
Is this the same light I linked to Ebay? If so would you please provide the manufacturer name.

Thanks

Lunamae is correct, these are Aquatraders MH/PC lighthoods. They are just down the street from me and sell a lot of poorly built lighting. Do a search and you'll find a lot of customer complaints about this company. I would stay away from them and go with your optional choice of the Maristar instead. The 2 different ballast is probably magnetic or electronic. For MH, I believe it's better to use magnetic ballast as you get better par value with them than electronic.

[ClayWagner]

Aquatraders = fire in your house...Don't go for the cheap stuff. They weren't even UL listed (protected against fire hazard) until the last model. I've heard horror stories about these lights (melted ballasts in tank, smoking fixtures, fixtures on FIRE!). It's cheap because it's cheap. Stick with usa/german ingenuity. I got aqua medics and couldn't be happier.

[pnyxxpress]

Well I ordered the Maristar 72 inch combo with the electronic ballast. 250 watt 14K MH and actinic plus bulbs. I think I'll be very happy with the fixture. Hope I made the right choice on the bulbs.

Thanks for everyone's input

Mike

[CruzinKim]

You definitely made the right choice on the lighthood by not choosing Aquatraders.