is this lighting good?

A

aggieMEDIC

looking through websites need to ask


does this seem like a good lighting system for mostly softies and fish and possibly some birdsnest like corals and is it sufficent for clams?

http://www.cadlights.com/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=66
 
I don't know. The price looks pretty good to me, but the wattage doesn't make sense. 4' T-5 bulbs are 54w each. Even if there were only two, that's 108w and they list it as 112w. Since I see four bulbs, it should be 216w.

I'm confused. :shock:
 
That system uses four 28 watt standard output bulbs. From my experience, I would definately upgrade to the high output system that utilizes the 54 watt bulbs, especially if you plan on keeping clams and/or sps.
 
You're right. It does say Standard Output. So my next question is can you put HO bulbs in that unit, or does it need a different ballast to light 54w bulbs?
 
I would be willing to bet that it uses an individual ballast per bulb and would therefore need to use different ballasts. I upgraded a similar system once to use 39 watt bulbs instead of 21 watters and did so by switching to inexpensive advance ballasts. Each ballast would fire two 39 watt bulbs. I think the easiest way to go "high output" is to use an icecap 660 pushing four 54 watt bulbs. Just my 2 cents.
 
could be okay for softies but it may not be able to support birdnest, depending on the height of the tank. If you put HO bulbs in that fixture it probably will fire but if it does, it will have the same light intensity as the NO. You can upgrade it to HO with the advanced ballasts, but it doesnt look like you can fit two of those bad boys in the fixture. What do ya think?

Looks like its a single reflector fixture. I dunno, better off going other directions. It almost looks like a jebo fixture, which I have seen with the Normal output T5's and they don't light worth a flip IMO.

there are my 2 pennies for the day. I'm done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top