Need help with Lighting and Fixture...? Is this Lighting Good?

InDahOcean · Jul 23, 2016

So recently set up a 55 gallons tank. I decided to go out and get some lighting for the tank. I managed to find this Metal Halide Fixture on eBay for really cheap. Like I checked on Amazon and it's like 700 dollars. I haven't seen any reviews on it, but look how cheap it is (I gotta get it, so I did). So I decided to buy it. Has anyone see or used this lighting before and is it good? Here is the name of the lighting fixture : Coralife 05417 Aqualight Pro Metal Halide Aquarium Light Fixture. And here is a picture:

P.S. Since this is my first time buying lighting for a saltwater aquarium, I don't know what I'm getting into. I'm really scared that it won't work and scammed.

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

Lol well being that you purchased it before getting any actual advice you're kind of locked in unless you wanted to return it or cancel your order. It comes with power compact bulbs. That's the big weak point. Those are nearly phased out and getting very hard to find. With a standard 55 gallon with a center brace, if you mount that light in the middle, your single metal halide bulb will be right over the 2.5" center brace, basically shading the majority of its light. Also, being that a 55 gallon is only 12" front to back, check the dimensions of the light so that it won't be hanging over the front and back, if it is...your power compact bulbs on the outsides will only be lighting the floor outside the tank not inside. Hope that helps. Being your first foray, I would strongly recommend checking purchase advice before clicking buy, going forward

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

Also...coralife is a well known entry level brand with a long track record. So I at least doubt it's a scam

Shep · Jul 23, 2016

A) Holy crap, you have like 100000 tabs open lol and B) I would look into maybe ATI instead

InDahOcean · Jul 23, 2016

Hello, thx for the reply. Yeah, I kinda bought the thing without thingy LOL. I was so shocked that on Amazon it was 700 dollars, and it's so cheap on eBay. So in my mind, I was like "i must buy this before anyone gets it". The 55 gallons tank is an acrylic tank that I got from a family member that don't use the tank anymore. I don't know if this dimension is right for the lighting, here is the tank measurement: 36'x18'x18' (LxWxH). Yeah, the tank has a really weird dimension. Here I can show you a picture of it when I got it.

So it's 18' front to back, is it fine with the fixture that i just got. LOL I thought Coralife was one of those Chinese manufacturers. So I was scared since it was cheap for its price.

@Shep Yeah, I always have like millions of tabs open. I usually get off topic of what I'm doing. ATI? Welp, I was googling "Best lighting for Reef Aquarium", and like most of the link was outdated. I also need a fixture that hangs on to or lays on the tank, because I don't think I can drill a hole in my ceiling and have a 5 feet wire dangling on air. I ended up on eBay after all those searches (lol all those tabs). I didn't see any post online about ATI, man I wish I should have posted something on here before buying something that I have no clues about. ***, I guess this will do for now I guess....?

Thx for the reply, I was scared that i got scammed. :D

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

Coralife is a Chinese brand but it's widely distributed. That's a different dimension 55 gallon so size wise it's fine. It'll work. It's just not as good of a deal as you thought. 700 for one of those is a joke. Always check with experienced reefers before buying equipment going forward.

ATI is a German brand that makes arguably some of the best T5HO fixtures and bulbs available on the market. You could easily have found a 36" 6 bulb ATI Sunpower used for $200-300 and it would run circles around the coralife fixture and last years and years. Live and learn

InDahOcean · Jul 23, 2016

Hey, should I return this and get something else? Since I just bought it like yesterday and haven't shipped yet. What fixture would u recommend for my setup? Also, I don't want those fixtures that you need to hang on the ceiling.

iLLwiLL · Jul 23, 2016

you still might have gotten scammed. I could totally see a seller posting a light he has slim to no chance of selling on amazon for a huuuuge mark up then on ebay for what he actually wants knowing anyone shopping online is going to price compare and get excited at how much they're "saving". the power compacts are going to add more heat than usable light to your tank, but the halide with the right bulb is a good place to start.

Id put a phoenix 14k bulb in it, and gut the power compacts out for some reefbrites.

InDahOcean · Jul 23, 2016

Hi there, wait so should I return this. I still have time to return this, since the seller hasn't shipped the item out yet. What is a good fixture that I can buy in the market?

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

Yes definitely return it while you have time

InDahOcean · Jul 23, 2016

Ok just did, uhhmm so what fixture should i get?

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

What kind of corals do you intend to keep?

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

And what's your budget

InDahOcean · Jul 23, 2016

I want all sort of corals, lps, sps, or soft coral. My budget is 400 dollars, I can go higher if the lighting is really good with lots of good features.

mcarroll · Jul 23, 2016

InDahOcean said:
Hi there, wait so should I return this. I still have time to return this, since the seller hasn't shipped the item out yet. What is a good fixture that I can buy in the market?

Return it.

You have a center brace that will melt (or at least fail early) directly under that halide.

Many many many good options....don't get this. (And I actually like these old Coralife fixtures....still must say Nay.)

mcarroll · Jul 23, 2016

And see post #2 in your other thread. :)

InDahOcean · Jul 23, 2016

Yeah I returned it.

Bpb · Jul 23, 2016

People who follow my posts tend to know I am on team t5ho, but if you must have something that both comes with mounting legs, and you refuse to hang it...i would in your situation pick up one of the newer reef breeders v2 photon lights. Legs included.