Your Opinion on Lights?

I am looking to buy some lights for my tan k. I want to have a reef tank, corals, and fish (obviously). Here are the pecs on my tank:

- Size: 29 gallon
- Dimensions: 30" x 20" x 12" (w x h x d)
- Rock: Lots (Probably like 1/3 of my tank)
- Corals: None Yet, I want to have a Pulsating Xenia, perhaps a clam, Zoo's, A leather Mayby, etc.
- Has a glass canopy

These were the two that I was considering:
Odyssea Metal Halide System
Odyssea Power Compact Lighting

What would you choose? I have a little experience, but it never hurts to ask around...

Thanks in advance!

 

If those were my only choices I would go with the MH. A note of caution glass filters out about 30% of the usable light and the heat from the MH may cause the canopy to break if it gets splashed. PC lights are very inefficient especially over canopies.

I would look into high quality T5HO units and MH units before buying the Odyssea units. With lighting you get what you pay for. Lighting is very important is you want high light requiring organisms like clams and SPS corals.

 

Alot of people are probably going to advise you to steer away from Odyssea. Some say they will burn your house down .

I have a 24" 250w MH w/T5's and LED's and I love it. No problems in the past couple years with it. Although I do need to replace the bulb soon.

Also I had a glass canopy over my tank that I eventually removed. It really does look alot better without it, and the tank actually stays cooler. I think the canopy held the heat in.

 

Good advice- you get what u pay for

 

Sometimes you get what you pay for, but not always.

I think alot of people pay for the name.

 

Thanks! That is a good idea.

The problem is that I do not have $500 laying around, but I do need decent lighting. I have also heard from friends of mine that I quote:

"They are complete garbage, but they do work great!"

 

I Agree, but sometimes companies have a name for a reason. Just need to research before you buy (much like I am doing now).

 

I have been researching a new fixture for a few months. I think you should look into the Aquatic Life HO ones. They have gotten great reviews and come with everything you need including bulbs, splash guard, moonlights, timer, mounting legs, etc. They are priced very competitively, check them out: http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticL...xtures-AquaticLife-AK01035-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

I have heard decent to horrible things about the Odyssea brand, I had opportunities to get one and I def passed. There are a few stories about the MH version causing fires, better to go with a more quality brand and save in fire damage .

 

Thanks for the reply, yes it is def a gamble, however I basically already have that. I found a place that has 29" 24 Watt T5 lights with built in ballasts for $12 a piece (has a basic metal fixture). I bought a piece of sheet metal bent it and made a light fixture. t works, it is ugly, but does work. I was looking for something with a little more quality. That may be what I get.

 

I've also heard good things about the Wavepoint fixtures, the bulbs that come stock are actually good quality & the reflectors are also good + comes with the splash guard, legs, etc. The only thing I didn't like about it was that all bulbs are controlled by the same plug: T-5 Fixtures at Big Al's Online

The next level up would be something like a TEK light by Sunlight Supply which is what I ended up with: ReefGeek > Lighting > T5 Fluorescent > Sunlight Supply > Tek Light Fixtures

There's a lot to choose from but of course it goes way up in terms of $. I think you'd be happy with the Aquatic Life or WavePoint if they're in your budget, that's def what I would go for if I wanted something under $300.

Also don't forget to take advantage of the great sponsors we have on here, like BigAlsOnline, you can get 10% with the code 3REEF if you get the fixture from there, they are awesome.