Please help me choose a lighting system

[jimrawr]

I am lost as to what system I should be looking at. First I was looking at a few clamp-ons but they dont have actinics, then i was looking at the SunPod which I though had actinics but I guess it doesnt either.

I have a 30g tank and I dont want to be limited later on, so I want around a 150w HQI with actinics also. The only thing I have been able to find is the outer orbit model, but the smallest is only 24" and I need 20".

Can someone point me in the right direction and list me a few makes/models that include the HQI + Actinics? I want something that will clamp onto the tank on either side or on the back (i dont want to have to hang anything from the ceiling).

Also, I am trying to stay around or under $300, which may be hard but I will also look for used stuff..

I love the way actinics look, but it may not be entirely needed if I have enough lighting with the HQI. But I will atleast want something that has the same type of lighting effect because I like the look.. The SunPod has the LEDs I guess, but will it look the same as actinics?

[Shagsbeard]

If you're handy, you can make your own with a "retro" kit. Then you can make it fit your tank perfectly. You'll also get better lighting, cheaper.

[jimrawr]

Eh, I am not really the type to build my own

[Henry Bowman]

Look at these. http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_SunPod.htm

They dont have actinics but are in the size that you are looking for and have lunar lights. They have legs to mount on a variety of tanks. If you chose a 15K or higher bulb, you wont really need the actinic supplementation that you are looking for, although it'd be nice for dusk and dawn simulation.... Other than these, there may not be many choices for a tank of that size in the config you want (actinics....)

HTH

[drummereef]

www.premiumaquatics.com has great lighting setups. I'd look into T5's.

[jimrawr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8895458#post8895458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Henry Bowman
Look at these. http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/metal_SunPod.htm

They dont have actinics but are in the size that you are looking for and have lunar lights. They have legs to mount on a variety of tanks. If you chose a 15K or higher bulb, you wont really need the actinic supplementation that you are looking for, although it'd be nice for dusk and dawn simulation.... Other than these, there may not be many choices for a tank of that size in the config you want (actinics....)

HTH

Are the lunar lights in the SunPod similar to actinics in the way they look? I want to be able to get that blueish tint at night and to have the coral glowing. Is this ONLY possible with the actinics? I dont need them so much for supplementation, but more for looks.

[aquarius77]

The sunpod has LED blues. The fixture is beautiful and performs like there is no tomorow. Ill snap pics if you want to see the sunpod in action.

[aquarius77]

The Sun pod also had white LED's for the dusk to dawn effect, it is a complete 24 hour lighting system.

[jimrawr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8895505#post8895505 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquarius77
The sunpod has LED blues. The fixture is beautiful and performs like there is no tomorow. Ill snap pics if you want to see the sunpod in action.

I would really appreciate that. I just want to see how it looks at night with the blue LEDs..

Please if you could snap a few pictures for me that would be great!! Also, can you turn on/off these LEDs or are they constantly on, and then you just see the effect at night?

[aquarius77]

the MH is operated by one switch and the withe LED's by another switch and the blues are on their wn switch.
Ill go take some pics right now, give me a few mins to get them uploaded and such.

[jimrawr]

Excellent thanks Kevin

[aquarius77]

Here it is with blues and whites on:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/euchre_skillz/New%20Reef/DSC01112.jpg


Here are the lights:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/euchre_skillz/New%20Reef/DSC01113.jpg

Just blues:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/euchre_skillz/New%20Reef/DSC01114.jpg

And the lights:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/euchre_skillz/New%20Reef/DSC01116.jpg

I Have 100 watts of power compact lighting on my sump and my cam sucks pretty bad, sorry the pics look like crap, its hard for me to get a decent shot.

[jimrawr]

Yeah i cant really tell from the pictures, but do the fluorescent colors come out with the blue LEDs on? Is it the same effect as actinics in terms of bringing out the bright colors?

[aquarius77]

If you want colors to "pop" use a 20k bulb for the metal halide. No i dont belive the blues make stuff look fake and glow all night long. The blues are a moon light IMO and they look like any other blue moon lights, the colors pop somewhat but not the bright fake looking glow that you are asking about. Most people do not run atinics all night long, they are run to supplement the metal halides, a higher Kelvin rating on the MH bulb and you dont need atinics IMO.

[jimrawr]

So then back to my origional question, where else should I look for something that combines the MH bulbs and also Actinic? What products can do the job for my 20" length tank

[aquarius77]

www.aquatraders.com

I have read all the they will burn your house down threads. I also have 2 friends with the same light 20'' metal and atinics. I have taken one fixture apart personally and while i agree it is not a high quality fixture, it has an external ballast and i see no reason why the things would catch fire. I think its all rumor because of the cheap price.


The light in question is too wide for a ten gallon tank also too wide for a 20h tank.

Your options are slim man, retro, or your going to have t sacrafice something.

[aquarius77]

Here is a link directly to the fixture im talking about.

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=308

[2swift]

Hello again.