what size tank is it?
Taking a risk on a fixture?
Hey everyone,
I see a 2X54W fixture on Ebay for 70$ shipped. It doesn't have individual reflectors, but it still looks decent.
OR
2 of fishneedit light
http://fishneedit.com/t5ho-4ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html
OR
A single 4X54W catalina fixture, a little over budget, but still able to if it's that much better.
I see a 2X54W fixture on Ebay for 70$ shipped. It doesn't have individual reflectors, but it still looks decent.
OR
2 of fishneedit light
http://fishneedit.com/t5ho-4ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html
OR
A single 4X54W catalina fixture, a little over budget, but still able to if it's that much better.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
75g.what size tank is it?
You already know which one I would choose, fishykid.
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didn't you get a Catalina fixture?75g.
You already know which one I would choose, fishykid.
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i got a Hagen GLO 2x54 for my 55 i think it looks great. Got it for $60 shipped too
I was planning on going a 4X54W fixture.
I was thinking about the Catalina, but have been looking for other options, as the Catalina is about 200$. Which is kind of a little over what I wanted to spend.
Thanks Philip, haha. The fishneedit light seems decent. And they have good customer service, from what I've heard. I may get one of the fishneedit lights and see how it is; I've seen mostly positive reviews on it. I figured with 2 of these lights I would get a better spread of light over the Catalina.
But someone make a choice...have you had fishneedit lights before with success?
I was thinking about the Catalina, but have been looking for other options, as the Catalina is about 200$. Which is kind of a little over what I wanted to spend.
Thanks Philip, haha. The fishneedit light seems decent. And they have good customer service, from what I've heard. I may get one of the fishneedit lights and see how it is; I've seen mostly positive reviews on it. I figured with 2 of these lights I would get a better spread of light over the Catalina.
But someone make a choice...have you had fishneedit lights before with success?
didn't you get a Catalina fixture?
Was looking at it, haven't decided as of yet
Fishneedit has excellent customer service. When I had ordered three 24" fixtures from them years ago, a few of the bulbs arrived broken. I emailed him and he sent me new ones, free if charge-- no questions asked. Now that is good service!I was planning on going a 4X54W fixture.
I was thinking about the Catalina, but have been looking for other options, as the Catalina is about 200$. Which is kind of a little over what I wanted to spend.
Thanks Philip, haha. The fishneedit light seems decent. And they have good customer service, from what I've heard. I may get one of the fishneedit lights and see how it is; I've seen mostly positive reviews on it. I figured with 2 of these lights I would get a better spread of light over the Catalina.
But someone make a choice...have you had fishneedit lights before with success?
I had the older models, which weren't as good. However, I personally know someone who has the newer model, and he is very pleased with it. Looks nice IRL too.
And yes, I have a Catalina fixture. I totally recommend ordering from them, budget permitting. But fisheedit fixtures are nice too.
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Philip, your such a pain sometimes!! Just kidding. I've been looking around online for reviews, and the newer reviews seem to be more positive. So what I may do is call them up and figure it out. I feel like I would go 2X 2 t5ho fixtures and that would give me more overall coverage.
If that doesn't satisfy me, I'll make Philip happy and look at the Catalina fixture.
If that doesn't satisfy me, I'll make Philip happy and look at the Catalina fixture.
... I'm your worst nightmare.Philip, your such a pain sometimes!! Just kidding. I've been looking around online for reviews, and the newer reviews seem to be more positive. So what I may do is call them up and figure it out. I feel like I would go 2X 2 t5ho fixtures and that would give me more overall coverage.
If that doesn't satisfy me, I'll make Philip happy and look at the Catalina fixture.
Muahahaha. :hihi:
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... I'm your worst nightmare.
Muahahaha. :hihi:
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HAHA Oh dear. fishneedit responded to my email quickly, as did the guy on ebay that has a Catalina fixture. Or very similar. What to do, what to do...
The 2 fishneedit fixtures would come up to a total of about 190$.
Catalina fixture about 235$
ebay (similar to catalina for 160$
Not sure where you are getting your prices on the Catalina fixtures. You can get a 4x54 watt fixture for $160.
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?products_id=1630&osCsid=fb78d007307a889ea61176e7701d6990
The "1234" model which is a 4x54 watt fixture with 3 on/off switches so you can run 1, 2, 3 or 4 bulbs at a time is $190.
Don't order a Catalina fixture on eBay call them direct for the best deal.
A 4x54 T5HO fixture is a lot of light over a 75 you don't really need more than two bulbs unless you are going to hang the fixture 10" or more above the tank. You do have pressurized CO2? You will need it even if you go with two bulbs and don't hang the fixture. If you are worried about spread you can get Catalina to build you a 2x54 fixture with a wider housing so the bulbs can be spaced further apart. I don't think they charge any extra and if they do it is a nominal fee. The other good thing about Catalina is that you get to choose what type/combination of bulbs you want.
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?products_id=1630&osCsid=fb78d007307a889ea61176e7701d6990
The "1234" model which is a 4x54 watt fixture with 3 on/off switches so you can run 1, 2, 3 or 4 bulbs at a time is $190.
Don't order a Catalina fixture on eBay call them direct for the best deal.
A 4x54 T5HO fixture is a lot of light over a 75 you don't really need more than two bulbs unless you are going to hang the fixture 10" or more above the tank. You do have pressurized CO2? You will need it even if you go with two bulbs and don't hang the fixture. If you are worried about spread you can get Catalina to build you a 2x54 fixture with a wider housing so the bulbs can be spaced further apart. I don't think they charge any extra and if they do it is a nominal fee. The other good thing about Catalina is that you get to choose what type/combination of bulbs you want.
Catalina has a new website...
here: http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/
Only reason I'm looking at 4X54, is to have a decent spread. I would only be running 3 of the bulbs at any given time.
My original plan with the tank was to have a canopy. I recently have been poking around and looking at these Hagen glo 2X54W ballasts. I've heard good things, and can get them locally. Anyone have any experience with them? With reflectors and everything, I'm looking at about 170$ completely. That's with Icecap reflectors, as well.
here: http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/
Only reason I'm looking at 4X54, is to have a decent spread. I would only be running 3 of the bulbs at any given time.
My original plan with the tank was to have a canopy. I recently have been poking around and looking at these Hagen glo 2X54W ballasts. I've heard good things, and can get them locally. Anyone have any experience with them? With reflectors and everything, I'm looking at about 170$ completely. That's with Icecap reflectors, as well.
Catalina has a note on the old website to phone in orders until they finish the website redesign. I would never order from them without calling anyway.
Most 4x54 fixtures are not all that wide. You would get better spread and more manageable light with a 2 bulb setup in a wide housing (or 3 or 4 bulbs in a wider than stock housing). Depending on which 4x54 fixture you buy you may not be able to run 3 bulbs. The four bulb fixtures tend to run each 2 bulbs bank with one on/off switch. The ballasts in some fixtures will not fire up if you remove one of the bulbs.
If you think you will want to run 3 bulbs you could also look at the Catalina 3x54 fixture and have them put that in a wide housing, only $140. The way that fixture is set up you can run 1,2 or 3 bulbs easily. Excellent design as far as ability to control light intensity without hanging the fixture.
If you decide on a canopy make sure it is designed so that you can flip it up out of the way for maintenance/pulling dead leaves etc.
Most 4x54 fixtures are not all that wide. You would get better spread and more manageable light with a 2 bulb setup in a wide housing (or 3 or 4 bulbs in a wider than stock housing). Depending on which 4x54 fixture you buy you may not be able to run 3 bulbs. The four bulb fixtures tend to run each 2 bulbs bank with one on/off switch. The ballasts in some fixtures will not fire up if you remove one of the bulbs.
If you think you will want to run 3 bulbs you could also look at the Catalina 3x54 fixture and have them put that in a wide housing, only $140. The way that fixture is set up you can run 1,2 or 3 bulbs easily. Excellent design as far as ability to control light intensity without hanging the fixture.
If you decide on a canopy make sure it is designed so that you can flip it up out of the way for maintenance/pulling dead leaves etc.
Wide housing? Where is that and how "wide" is it?
Catalina +1
If the budget is getting in the way, check out what your local hydroponics shop has in a two bulb T5HO fixture or two single T5HO strips.
Sun Blaze and Helios are the usual brands. Both come with reflectors.
If the budget is getting in the way, check out what your local hydroponics shop has in a two bulb T5HO fixture or two single T5HO strips.
Sun Blaze and Helios are the usual brands. Both come with reflectors.
Don't know the exact measurements. Ask them to use the housing for a 6 or 8 bulb fixture. They build every fixture to order and will configure them the way you want. Give them a call, they have great customer service and are really helpful.Wide housing? Where is that and how "wide" is it?
Catalina +1
If the budget is getting in the way, check out what your local hydroponics shop has in a two bulb T5HO fixture or two single T5HO strips.
Sun Blaze and Helios are the usual brands. Both come with reflectors.
Just looked up hydroponic stores near me, and I only see 1 within an hour drive. Also, they have t5HO but they are 1 bulb fixture and the reflector is sold separately.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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