onux20 April 13, 2009 April 13, 2009 Not looking for a right or wrong answer, just opinions. I am planning to set up a 120 in the near future. Plan to have mostly sps. I am thinking of lighting the tank with one of these three options 1. The Outer Orbit 2x250HQI with T5 supplements . Today I saw someone is running an Aqua Medic similar to the Outer Orbit. At this price point and light combo, which is the better light and why? 2. Going totally with T5's. The 8x54 from Sunlight Supply to be exact. Same tank inhabitants. Does this light put out enough to support coral placed the entire depth of the tank? OR will I need to top load the tank with any SPS I plan to keep. 3. MH pendants. Luminarc or similar 2X250 . This option is not as flexible as the others but will still work. This is not so much about the price difference of the options but more about ability to provide the tank with enough light to produce decent coral growth and coloration. Anyone that has any of these lights and cares to chime in feel free.
amay121 April 13, 2009 April 13, 2009 Go with the T5s, you won't be disappointed. Only thing is, if you have the extra $$$, I'd call reefgeek and get the ATI Sunpower. List price is $499 for the 6 bulb version.
jason the filter freak April 13, 2009 April 13, 2009 This is a tuffy. I have the outer orbit fixture and really really love it. How ever I'm a big fan of running all t5's, gives you many more choices of bulb color and better spread, and less heat. you just loose that "shimmer effect" you can correct that later if you'd like with an LED light bar or supplemental low wattage MH bulbs for effect like 70 watters.
Integral9 April 13, 2009 April 13, 2009 (edited) I have the 24" 150W Outer Orbit Pro Series(w/ 4x24" T5s) over my 30g and it's a very good light. I don't know if this is just the case when you have a single MH, but my corals grow directly towards the halide which prevents them from getting that "natural colony" look that I am able to get in my 55g with only 4x48" T5s. I'd say the color of my light is better under the T5s. GBN under Outer Orbit: notice how lopsided the colony is and how the right side is "reaching" towards the light? Cons would be: (1) The cooling fan only spins when the halide is on (however their manual suggests differently) (2) The T5s don't receive much cooling as most of the air moves across the MH and ballasts. (3) Reliability: One of the banks of T5s has gone out and I have replaced the bulbs and the ballasts and still can't figure out what the problem is. The bulbs all work in the other bank and the end caps appear (very difficult to see) to be making solid connections. FWIW: The 135 I'm setting up will be all T5s (12x36") Edited April 13, 2009 by Integral9
onux20 April 14, 2009 Author April 14, 2009 Go with the T5s, you won't be disappointed. Only thing is, if you have the extra $$$, I'd call reefgeek and get the ATI Sunpower. List price is $499 for the 6 bulb version. Thanks for the info. I will look into that light. You think its a step up from the Sunlight Supply T5 rig huh?
amay121 April 14, 2009 April 14, 2009 Call and ask the crew from reefgeek. Anyways, the tek has passive cooling (good unit, but could be better). The sunpower has active cooling, which helps out a lot more. You want to spend even more, get their powermodule (that'll rock, but be prepared to spend for it). Good luck in your choices.
Barebottomcorals_Ed April 14, 2009 April 14, 2009 Not looking for a right or wrong answer, just opinions. I am planning to set up a 120 in the near future. Plan to have mostly sps. I am thinking of lighting the tank with one of these three options 1. The Outer Orbit 2x250HQI with T5 supplements . Today I saw someone is running an Aqua Medic similar to the Outer Orbit. At this price point and light combo, which is the better light and why? 2. Going totally with T5's. The 8x54 from Sunlight Supply to be exact. Same tank inhabitants. Does this light put out enough to support coral placed the entire depth of the tank? OR will I need to top load the tank with any SPS I plan to keep. 3. MH pendants. Luminarc or similar 2X250 . This option is not as flexible as the others but will still work. This is not so much about the price difference of the options but more about ability to provide the tank with enough light to produce decent coral growth and coloration. Anyone that has any of these lights and cares to chime in feel free. Have a 72" outer orbit 3x250 mh....having a few minor issues with it...but wanted something that i was " limited" on my coral selection!...just my 2 cents
basser9 April 15, 2009 April 15, 2009 Do it right and get 2 lumenbright or lumenmax elite reflectors with the glass to keep the things clean.....lumenmaxs are lower proflie......why do you think tryee or jason fox or the crewat atlantis or really anybody who makes a living off corals has mh.......
Sikryd April 15, 2009 April 15, 2009 Do it right and get 2 lumenbright or lumenmax elite reflectors with the glass to keep the things clean.....lumenmaxs are lower proflie......why do you think tryee or jason fox or the crewat atlantis or really anybody who makes a living off corals has mh....... This isn't 100% correct imho. Switching over 20 lighting systems is expensive to say the least! T-5's are awesome and grow sps, clams ect. I have had both and enjoy the mixture of MH and T-5's now. A lot of new farmers are using only T-5's for a lot of different reasons, one being heat, cost savings in the long haul, and the ability to change out bulbs to fit the different tank inhabitants very easily and cost effectively.
steveoutlaw April 15, 2009 April 15, 2009 I would say go with the outer orbit. It's a well built fixture, the fan isn't too loud, and the combination of MH and T5 will give you plenty of choice for color variation. I have a 24" 250w fixture over a 20 gallon right now and the temp of the tank isn't climbing over 80 degrees. Plus, it comes with legs and a hanging kit for choices. Best bang for the buck IMHO.
onux20 April 15, 2009 Author April 15, 2009 I would say go with the outer orbit. It's a well built fixture, the fan isn't too loud, and the combination of MH and T5 will give you plenty of choice for color variation. I have a 24" 250w fixture over a 20 gallon right now and the temp of the tank isn't climbing over 80 degrees. Plus, it comes with legs and a hanging kit for choices. Best bang for the buck IMHO. Right now this light is at the front of the pack.
onux20 May 25, 2009 Author May 25, 2009 okay, to dig up an old post...I ended up getting a good deal on a 8x54W Tek light from tsprice. One step closer.... Ron
steveoutlaw May 25, 2009 May 25, 2009 The TEK is a good light. If you want the shimmer effect, you can always rig up a LED strip.
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