Jbrougher Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 hey, can anyone recommend me a lighting fixture? I have a 48" tank, and am looking to get anenomes without getting to expensive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 hey, can anyone recommend me a lighting fixture?I have a 48" tank, and am looking to get anenomes without getting to expensive Someone is selling a 6 x 54w light fixture in the sale section today $120...that will do you wonders... get different bulbs though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Anemones do much better under the intense light provided from metal halide lamps. With a need for 48" 2x 250w would be ideal. Then you'd probably want some supplemental "color" lighting, or actinics, to let the color of the creature glow. Lighting options are limitless. Your best bet is to ask around and see if folks will let you drop in, this can also be done at your LFS by comparing set ups at each tank, then decide what you like the best. Lighting can be the single largest argument, and one of the most important, amongst reef keepers. Without knowing every single aspect of your tank it really just becomes a bunch of people shouting out options, they may all be good ones at that. What it comes down to the most is what YOU want and what you wish to pay for it. I would recommend either a Maristar or Geissman for a complete all in one fixture, and if you have a large canopy I'd say to custom build using 2x Icecap 250w electronic ballasts with Lumenarc reflectors and an Icecap 660 fluorescent ballasts with 2 48" long T5 bulbs in 460nm actinic using individual TEK reflectors. Both options could easily set you back $1,200 or more. The thing is though is that you'd have the best lighting possible and that you would not have any troubles from it for years and years. A lot can be said about avoiding frustrating circumstances with this hobby. Lighting can quickly become a nightmare when something suddenly stops working. And then again you can save a lot of money and find Coralife 48" fixture with 2x250w and 2x 96w PC actinics for around $600 with bulbs, a plug and play option. But with this your ballasts might be cheap Chinese units that might begin to fail within a year. You may be displeased with the smaller reflectors and poor light spread. I'd take the suggestions, write them down, and then see if you can find hobbyists or shops that have similar units running and visit them all to compare and see what you like the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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