Low lighting for a 20 Long

[orchidman]

any more imput? i found a great deal on the solarmaxHE and im about to pull the trigger! im gonna make another thread with a question about the fixture having legs or not, but tonight i would like to order.. and last input?

[orchidman]

anyone?

[talontsiawd]

Though I like the Coralife/Aqueon T5NO fixture, the 30 in bulbs can be a pain. I don't like to shop online which means it may take me a few stops to get a replacement bulb. Now that Petsmart carries them, it is a bit easier. Nobody besides Aqueon makes these bulbs (you may find Coarilife which is exactly the same if they have old stock) so you are basically limited to their bulbs.

Not the worst thing but you only have 3 color choices for fresh water. I don't like the look of the Colormax bulb at all, personally. The 6500k bulb is a bit too yellow. The 10,000k is fine. I use a 6500k and 10,000k in mine.

Secondly, I have had some bulbs only last for 6 months. Many more have only lasted about a year. I have had 3 of these fixtures for about 6 years so I feel that my experience wasn't one fluke bulb or anything.

On the plus side, they do look very sleek and are very small. That's part of the reason they work well on low tech, they are not designed well in terms of reflectors and bulb placement. That is good for lower tech, and makes them more appealing to the eye.

I don't think it's a bad way to go, but you may want to consider a fixture with 24 inch bulbs so you can dial in your color better, as well as having choices of different brands. I wouldn't discourage you from this light however, though I personally recommend replacing the Colormax bulb with a 10,000k to give you a 6500k/10,000k combo.

[orchidman]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

Though I like the Coralife/Aqueon T5NO fixture, the 30 in bulbs can be a pain. I don't like to shop online which means it may take me a few stops to get a replacement bulb. Now that Petsmart carries them, it is a bit easier. Nobody besides Aqueon makes these bulbs (you may find Coarilife which is exactly the same if they have old stock) so you are basically limited to their bulbs.

Not the worst thing but you only have 3 color choices for fresh water. I don't like the look of the Colormax bulb at all, personally. The 6500k bulb is a bit too yellow. The 10,000k is fine. I use a 6500k and 10,000k in mine.

Secondly, I have had some bulbs only last for 6 months. Many more have only lasted about a year. I have had 3 of these fixtures for about 6 years so I feel that my experience wasn't one fluke bulb or anything.

On the plus side, they do look very sleek and are very small. That's part of the reason they work well on low tech, they are not designed well in terms of reflectors and bulb placement. That is good for lower tech, and makes them more appealing to the eye.

I don't think it's a bad way to go, but you may want to consider a fixture with 24 inch bulbs so you can dial in your color better, as well as having choices of different brands. I wouldn't discourage you from this light however, though I personally recommend replacing the Colormax bulb with a 10,000k to give you a 6500k/10,000k combo.

id probably end up getting a 24" fixture anyways. because the bulbs are easier to find (not that 30" are that difficult to find online)

i decided not to get the solarmax, epople have jsut been saying its not worth getting. so its either a coralife (if i can find one,aquariumguys doesnt have them listed anymore) or an oddyssea...and im thinking a 1 bulb would be enough? what are your thoughts?

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by orchidman

id probably end up getting a 24" fixture anyways. because the bulbs are easier to find (not that 30" are that difficult to find online)

i decided not to get the solarmax, epople have jsut been saying its not worth getting. so its either a coralife (if i can find one,aquariumguys doesnt have them listed anymore) or an oddyssea...and im thinking a 1 bulb would be enough? what are your thoughts?

Does Odyssea make a T5NO fixture? I thought they were just T5HO.

I think it's going to be about the same otherwise. Coarlife/Aqueon (same fixture) have bad refectors and quality control issues. I have had 3 and only now I am starting to have an issue with one, 5 years later. Odyssea seems to have similar issues but not as bad. The Coarlife fixture isn't as low light as you would think though, so I would be hesitant to recommend the Odyssea.


One thing to consider. You could easily go with a standard T-8 fixture as well. Though they aren't really that cheap new, you can probably get it dirt cheap used. The bulb is a standard sized bulb on the 30in so that takes away some issues of this size tank. I haven't used one on a 20 long but many people recommend it. It's one of the few standard sized tanks where the "stock" lighting isn't going to prevent you from growing plants. I know I would just give you mine if I didn't hack it up into a DIY project. I am sure many would feel the same.

[orchidman]

i found this! and i have a %15 off in store coupon, and i go to lancaster twice a week for volleyball practice. http://www.thatpetplace.com/freshwat...t-fixture-24in with the coupon it ends up at $30. so thats what i think ill get.

i have yet to see an example of a sleek t8...

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by orchidman

i found this! and i have a %15 off in store coupon, and i go to lancaster twice a week for volleyball practice. http://www.thatpetplace.com/freshwat...t-fixture-24in with the coupon it ends up at $30. so thats what i think ill get.

i have yet to see an example of a sleek t8...

I have yet to see an example of a sleek T8 either, even with older/higher end light fixtures.

That's a fantastic deal. You still may want to consider the 30in, unless you are hanging it above the tank. The 30 in still isn't truly 30 in, it's 28 inch. The metal extenstions bend easily so 24 in could become problematic. It just is so close to the water. If you are raising it, I would personally go with the 24 in.

You can't beat that price so go for it. I was going to offer one of mine but I feel they are "questionable" at their age. $30 is probably cheaper than the few bucks it's worth to me plus shipping. If you do have problems though, let me know, link this thread, and I will part with one of mine for cheap + shipping.

[orchidman]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

I have yet to see an example of a sleek T8 either, even with older/higher end light fixtures.

That's a fantastic deal. You still may want to consider the 30in, unless you are hanging it above the tank. The 30 in still isn't truly 30 in, it's 28 inch. The metal extenstions bend easily so 24 in could become problematic. It just is so close to the water. If you are raising it, I would personally go with the 24 in.

You can't beat that price so go for it. I was going to offer one of mine but I feel they are "questionable" at their age. $30 is probably cheaper than the few bucks it's worth to me plus shipping. If you do have problems though, let me know, link this thread, and I will part with one of mine for cheap + shipping.

ill have to see what the if the store will 1- honor the discount online, sometimes they dont, and 2-see if i can use the coupon in conjunction with the sale (not sure if they will let me)

but in the mean time, if you could send me a pm with a price and more details, id love it!!

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by orchidman

do you think the second fixture i linked would be okay?

Bulb replacements can be bought at Pet Blvd. The coralife light strip are listed as aqueon lights at Pet Smart.

[orchidman]

Originally Posted by Hilde

Bulb replacements can be bought atPet Blvd. The coralife light strip are listed as aqueon lights at Pet Smart.

thanks! i probably wont go with the solarmax alot of people have had quality issues...

im going to try (and hope) to get it at that fish place...


wow! haha those aqueon fixtures are really up-priced! $60 for a 24"

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by orchidman

thanks! i probably wont go with the solarmax

Also since it is a 10,000k the light will be very bright. This is usually for a deep tank.

[orchidman]

so i got to the store yesterday and at the last minute, i decided to go with a 30" instead of a 24" because it was onl $8 more. im glad i did. it was a good deal because it was onsale, $38. its the coralife i talked about earlier

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by orchidman

It was a good deal because it was onsale, $38, the coralife

Yeh, what a great deal!! At pet blvd they are 52.83 (w shipping).

[orchidman]

Certainly is! The 24" was only $34.

[talontsiawd]

Good score. That's why I was saying you may want to wait for a deal instead of the one I offered, you ended up paying the same or less for a brand new fixture than the bulbs would have cost.

I love these guys, hopefully you do too. Almost want to set up another 20 long, just don't have a place for it.