Coralife Aqualight CF owners

nycxaro · 03-22-2004, 11:05 PM

Quick question guys: I am interested in the 24 inch 65W freshwater model for a low light 29 gallon. Does that particular model use a 2 prong or 3 prong plug? Also, how do you guys like these fixtures? Any input is appreciated THANKS!!!

ninoboy · 03-23-2004, 04:35 AM

3 prongs. I like them. The price is not bad and I haven't got any problem with them. I heard some technical review that they use cheaper or lower quality ballast compared to CSL. But since CSL is out of business, I just go with Coralife.

Thooshe · 03-23-2004, 04:57 AM

I have the 2x96W version and love it. The fans are a little loud, but the single bulb versions have no fans and are silent. Plus they are a great deal. My LFS has the 65W for 64.99.

trenac · 03-24-2004, 02:27 AM

I have a 2x65 24" that I really like. The fan is pretty quit compared to a JBJ CF fixture. They have 3 prong plugs.

g8wayg8r · 03-28-2004, 04:28 AM

.......24 inch 65W freshwater model for a low light 29 gallon.......

Low light? :lol: I do admit it's not as bright as the sunlight that shines down on my tank late in the morning, but THAT is not low light. The 20W fluorescent that comes over those tanks at Wal-Mart and your favorite big pet shop in a box store, THAT is low light.

equilibrium · 03-28-2004, 06:38 AM

I purchased one of those fixtures about a two months ago for $54. It is hard to beat for the price. I was amazed at the colors it brought out in my fish, especially the dwarf rainbows. I ended up positioning it backward because the light distribution tends to extend a little further from the front of the unit. I also noticed that the fish are much less stressed by the instant-on 65 watts of light from this unit than the flickering starts of the old 2 x 15 watt magnetic ballast system.

George Willms · 03-28-2004, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g8wayg8r

.......24 inch 65W freshwater model for a low light 29 gallon.......

Low light? :lol: I do admit it's not as bright as the sunlight that shines down on my tank late in the morning, but THAT is not low light. The 20W fluorescent that comes over those tanks at Wal-Mart and your favorite big pet shop in a box store, THAT is low light.

It's just a little bit over 2 wpg, that's low-light for most of us.

20 watts over a 29-gallon is no light as far as this forum is concerned.

zonamav · 04-03-2004, 05:09 AM

I've got the 24" 64 watt, and I like it a lot. Looks sharp and feels sturdy, and it was a great price. I've had it about a year now, no probs.

g8wayg8r · 04-04-2004, 01:26 AM

George, you are right.

My comment was half serious. I don't want to confuse low light with really low light because you can do quite well at 2 W/gal if you pick your plants right. I've have a Echinodorus that has grown 19" in an 18" deep tank and some alteranthera reineckii that that is red as an apple. I always have to trim back my Myriophyllum and Hydrocotyle leucocephala. I must admit I also have some plants that would probably grow in moonlight: Water Sprite, Hygrophila polysperma, crypts, java ferns and a couple anubius.

In really low light I couldn't even grow algae

bomber · 04-15-2004, 06:03 AM

I'm a bit confused, you guys are talking about the 24" fixture for a 29
a 29 is 30" long

g8wayg8r · 04-16-2004, 04:56 AM

Yep. The 65 and 55 watt compact fluorescents are 24" long. You get a few inches of space that's gets a little less illumination, just as the front of the tank will if you retrofit the existing light fixture. It's neither good nor bad.

I got into aquatic plant growing by happenstance. 29-gallon tanks are a nice size. It's the largest tank I had room for in my living room. In a perfect house, I would have selected something that would accept better lighting options. Alas, I do have the middle of the room open. Hmmm.

03-24-2004, 02:27 AM	#4
trenac Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: North Carolina, Traid area Posts: 1,044	I have a 2x65 24" that I really like. The fan is pretty quit compared to a JBJ CF fixture. They have 3 prong plugs. __________________ He who angers you, controls you!

03-28-2004, 06:38 AM	#6
equilibrium Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. Posts: 89	I purchased one of those fixtures about a two months ago for $54. It is hard to beat for the price. I was amazed at the colors it brought out in my fish, especially the dwarf rainbows. I ended up positioning it backward because the light distribution tends to extend a little further from the front of the unit. I also noticed that the fish are much less stressed by the instant-on 65 watts of light from this unit than the flickering starts of the old 2 x 15 watt magnetic ballast system. __________________ Eheim Pimp Club Member #10 25 gal. Planted - SeaClear, Eheim 2026 Pro II, Retro Eclipse 2 hood w/1 x 65 watt CF & 2 x 15 watt NO, Hagen CO2, Eco-Complete

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03-22-2004, 11:05 PM	#1
nycxaro Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 23	Quick question guys: I am interested in the 24 inch 65W freshwater model for a low light 29 gallon. Does that particular model use a 2 prong or 3 prong plug? Also, how do you guys like these fixtures? Any input is appreciated THANKS!!!

03-23-2004, 04:35 AM	#2
ninoboy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Las Vegas , Nevada Posts: 1,261	3 prongs. I like them. The price is not bad and I haven't got any problem with them. I heard some technical review that they use cheaper or lower quality ballast compared to CSL. But since CSL is out of business, I just go with Coralife.

03-23-2004, 04:57 AM	#3
Thooshe Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 178	I have the 2x96W version and love it. The fans are a little loud, but the single bulb versions have no fans and are silent. Plus they are a great deal. My LFS has the 65W for 64.99.

03-28-2004, 04:28 AM	#5
g8wayg8r Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: St Charles, MO Posts: 517	.......24 inch 65W freshwater model for a low light 29 gallon....... Low light? :lol: I do admit it's not as bright as the sunlight that shines down on my tank late in the morning, but THAT is not low light. The 20W fluorescent that comes over those tanks at Wal-Mart and your favorite big pet shop in a box store, THAT is low light.

04-03-2004, 05:09 AM	#8
zonamav Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 95	I've got the 24" 64 watt, and I like it a lot. Looks sharp and feels sturdy, and it was a great price. I've had it about a year now, no probs.

04-04-2004, 01:26 AM	#9
g8wayg8r Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: St Charles, MO Posts: 517	George, you are right. My comment was half serious. I don't want to confuse low light with really low light because you can do quite well at 2 W/gal if you pick your plants right. I've have a Echinodorus that has grown 19" in an 18" deep tank and some alteranthera reineckii that that is red as an apple. I always have to trim back my Myriophyllum and Hydrocotyle leucocephala. I must admit I also have some plants that would probably grow in moonlight: Water Sprite, Hygrophila polysperma, crypts, java ferns and a couple anubius. In really low light I couldn't even grow algae

04-15-2004, 06:03 AM	#10
bomber Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Victoria B.C. Posts: 19	I'm a bit confused, you guys are talking about the 24" fixture for a 29 a 29 is 30" long

04-16-2004, 04:56 AM	#11
g8wayg8r Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: St Charles, MO Posts: 517	Yep. The 65 and 55 watt compact fluorescents are 24" long. You get a few inches of space that's gets a little less illumination, just as the front of the tank will if you retrofit the existing light fixture. It's neither good nor bad. I got into aquatic plant growing by happenstance. 29-gallon tanks are a nice size. It's the largest tank I had room for in my living room. In a perfect house, I would have selected something that would accept better lighting options. Alas, I do have the middle of the room open. Hmmm.