2 Days to decide on lighting upgrade. Please help

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by Salty Marine, Dec 11, 2006.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. Salty Marine

    Salty Marine Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Messages:
    44
    Location:
    Louisville Kentucky
    24" Nova Extreme 4 x 24W T5 HO w/2 Lunar (Current)

    24" Nova Extreme 4 x 24W T5 HO w/2 Lunar $170 shipped

    or

    24" 130W (2-65 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture - 501011


    24" 130W (2-65 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture $82 shipped

    or

    20" 298W Metal Halide System (Electronic Version) - 504002


    20" 298W Metal Halide System (Electronic Version) $170 shipped

    I am poor and prefer to spend as little as possible but I want lighting that is good enough to upgrade my tank to support corals and clams why still providing the best viewing and power efficency. I have been told that since I dont run a canopy to go with the t5s but I need some input before I spend the cash. I also use a full glass hood if that makes a difference and I want as low an electric bill as possible.
     
    Salty Marine, Dec 11, 2006
    Salty Marine, Dec 11, 2006
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. Salty Marine

    Salty Marine Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Messages:
    44
    Location:
    Louisville Kentucky
    Well I was gonna wait for input but I went ahead and bought the 24' Nova Extreme 4x24W T5 HO w/2 Lunar since I also was buying a new glass canopy from thatfishplace anyways. I also thru in a Aqualight Power center and got it all shipped 3 day fedex saver for $235. I guess Santa will be coming to my house early this year.
     
    Salty Marine, Dec 11, 2006
    Salty Marine, Dec 11, 2006
    #2
  3. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2000
    Messages:
    13,466
    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    That looks pretty nice and should work pretty well on a 44 gallon tank. Although is your tank 22" tall? If so, not a huge deal, put really give some thought to where you place things vertically within the aquarium.

    And in my experience, not all clams are the same by a long shot, really do your homework if you want clams.. I borrowed this book from Gresham that was awesome. I think it's posted in the book board, let me see... nope (please write a review) , here it is:

    Amazon.com: Giant Clams: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tridacnid Clams: Books: Daniel Knop
     
    Matt Rogers, Dec 11, 2006
    Matt Rogers, Dec 11, 2006
    #3
  4. Bruce

    Bruce Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2004
    Messages:
    3,531
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    I think that you will be happy with the t-5 system. I do agree with Matt about clams. I would really do homework on those buggers. I had one "happy" for almost one year under PC lighting and then one day it just died...
     
    Bruce, Dec 11, 2006
    Bruce, Dec 11, 2006
    #4
  5. Salty Marine

    Salty Marine Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Messages:
    44
    Location:
    Louisville Kentucky
    Clams will be the last addition I make and may never even enter my tank depending what choices I make between then and now. As always I try and put a lot of effort in developing a preferred plan but I know that availability and impulse will cause me to revise it after every stocking choice. The 22x22x24 is LxWxH, My tank is 24" tall and I will post some pics when I get my Camera back so you can see it's progress.

    Here is a picture of its shape: 44 Pentagon master kit

    It's not an ideal tank but I will make up for it's shortcomings with effort and attention on my part.
     
    Salty Marine, Dec 12, 2006
    Salty Marine, Dec 12, 2006
    #5