Opinion on lights

BrianG · 06-09-2008, 09:05 PM

I was looking at getting this lighting system for my 100gal tank.
Coralife 48 Inch Aqualight Pro, 2x250W HQI Lamp + 2x96W CF Lamps Sq. Pin + 4x1W LED (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > Metal Halide > Metal Halide w/ Power Compacts > Double End MH > with Moon Lights > 48in )
IT is 48L X 24T X 19D. I am still researching as to what Corals I will be putting into the tank, but I do know that I want something that will be able to allow me to get High light requirement Corals. I have heard some good things about these lights, the only real thing that concerns me is that it has PC Atinic bulbs, and I am worried that those might not be stron enough and I would need VHO Atinic bulbs for the tank. Any opinions or thoughts would be greatly appriacated.

IAreef · 06-09-2008, 10:04 PM

my personal opinion is that actinic lights are for our enjoyment not the corals, the animals in your tank are going to get the light to live from the MH, the actinic lights are to bring out the colors and recreate the "look" of a coral reef. It all boils down to what color reef you like.

poppin_fresh · 06-09-2008, 10:09 PM

That is PLENTY of light for even the most demanding corals. Honestly, you could buy a couple used 250mhs and some T5 retros for a lot less money if you are handy at all. If not, then for simplicity, its probably not a bad plug and play solution.

Please note however, that I dont own and cannot speak for the quality of that particular fixture.

poppin_fresh · 06-09-2008, 10:12 PM

to agree with IA, the actinics are not the detail to sweat. They really dont provide a whole lot of useful PAR to the corals. More importantly are the quality of the bulbs, ballasts and reflectors that come with the fixture.

BrianG · 06-09-2008, 10:23 PM

That helps. I could build my own light set up, but I do not have a hood for my tank, and it sits in my living room, so I thought that those were a good option to get the light quantity and quality that I need with out having a 4 or 5 different lights jsut siting on a stand above my tank or hanging from my ceiling with nothing to cover them with.