Light For Corals

[bpaw]

which do you think would be a better buy, which would last longest?

 

[seffieuk]

i suppose it really all depends on your stocking plans?

Seffie x

 

[AK77]

Hi again,

As Seffie mentions, I've used these types of light before on my old tank and will be investing in another one soon, as my T5's won't be enough for the corals I want to keep.

They are water proof, easy to position amd clean (flipping them up to remove salt creep on the glass is a real bonus), wall mountable and above all CHEAP! All you need to do is put in a MH 14'000k bulb and attach some 3 core flex. If you can wire a plug, you can wire one of these, its that simple. You can put them on a timer too. Although they throw out a lot of heat, at this time of year that's not so much a problem as it lessens the amount your heater is having to be used to warm the water anyway. Come summer, you just follow normal cooling protocol (lights off, circulation of air/evapouration and a cold beer lol)

I've actually found the 70w for £28 including VAT + delivery now Seffie!!!! 150w ones Are about £38 delivered (although I dare say I could find better prices on those too). I had these over my 180L tank for about a year and the only thing that broke (apart from cheapo bulbs every few months).. was the seals on the tank lol.

You can mount these on the wall above the tank (recommend building a canopy around them to stop light spilling out the sides) or you make a secure frame work and build them into your tanks hood and connect an exhaust fan up too.

If you are on a budget (lets face it, who isn't these days) or just don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money on purpose built MH lighting, then these are probably the best solution of upgrading your aquarium lighting. The joke of it is, I paid more for my Wave Solaris 18w T5 compact, than I could have for 70w of MH bling lol - and I have two of those.

 

[-Nemo-]

I am intrigued... What's the company or name of those things??

 

[bpaw]

ok that seems like a better idea, where did you find this at? All i plan on keeping would be maybe some softies, ployps and some mushrooms. which lighting system would be better?

 

[AK77]

I am intrigued... What's the company or name of those things??

There are a variety of manufacturers that make these. Personally I think they are most likely made by a 3rd party manufacturer(s) in China or Taiwan and they all just slap their own label on them.

They are just metal halide security floodlights. Have a look on ebay for them. Alternatively you might be able to get them at one of the big hardware stores like lowes or something, although might not be as cheap. To give you an example, Screwfix.com (one of the biggest tool/hardware e-tailers/retailers) were selling them for about £57 if I remember rightly, so some places whack a HUGGGE premium on them. I've also seen them listed in the pet supply section on ebay, and the ones in there are identical to other listings, just about £10 more - so trying to sucker people in to paying a premium for aquarium products (no change there then lol).

Try doing a google shopping search Nemo and then sort by price. You might find something identical to what I pictured for $50 or less, as things in the US are usually way cheaper than here in the UK!

ok that seems like a better idea, where did you find this at? All i plan on keeping would be maybe some softies, ployps and some mushrooms. which lighting system would be better?

Personally I'd go for MH lighting. It gives you the full range of options when it comes to stocking corals, as sometimes T5's don't quite meet the grade, or you have to have so many bulbs, you might as well have gone for MH in the first place.

 

[-Nemo-]

I am now on the search for cheap halides... I would love a 150w for the prices you're finding, best i've been able to do so far is $90

 

[AK77]

I am now on the search for cheap halides... I would love a 150w for the prices you're finding, best i've been able to do so far is $90

I've just spent 20 minutes searching for these types of light in the US and have drawn a blank.

The only thing I can suggest is looking for them on a site like alibaba.com and contacting the manufacturers direct and ask if they have a US importer / wholesaler.

I tried looking on the lowes website and couldn't find anything remotely resembling these. This has to be a first though. Normally its me that can't find what I want in the UK and its as cheap as chips in the US lol.

 

[-Nemo-]

I know

The cheapest I could find:

http/usalight.com/fls-150-hps-120-compact-flood-fixture-150watt-high-pressure-sodium-120volt.html

and

http/dyna-brite.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DLI&Product_Code=DTDA150LX&Product_Count=&Category_Code=


looking in particular for a 150w. How do those look?

 

[AK77]

Yeah its a real shame for you!

They are both sodium lamps and not metal halide hun.

 

[-Nemo-]

lmao. You got me How did I manage to totally not see that?

 

[AK77]

I just tried searching again for another 30 minutes but drew a blank still, not really finding anything suitable for cheaper than what you saw.

I seem to remember reading in the distant past, how someone went to the local DIY store, picked up a cheap sodium/halogen lamp (like you'd put on the back of your house or use on a small stand on a worksite, and converted it into a metal halide lamp. I will see if I can dig it up for you.

 

[bpaw]

hum that stinks that you cant find one in the US. But just to make sure, my lighting is one 14W 10,000k lamp and one 14W True Actinic 03, i wouldnt be able to keep anything under that right? just gotta be sure

 

[Harry1996]

for softies you can have T5s

 

[seffieuk]

You could also keep my fave, Euphyllias under t5

Seffie x