20" Coralife Aqualight Dual T5 fixture vs Aqua Life Dual T5 fixture?

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by HollyG, Mar 1, 2012.

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  1. HollyG

    HollyG Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    I was going to get the Aqua Life Dual T5 fixture but I then saw the Coralife Aqualight T5 for the exact same price. Which one should I get? Are there any differnces in the output or usage of them? Personally I think the Aqualight will look nicer on my tank. It has a more sleek look to it compared to the Aqua Life. If they are equally as good then I will be getting the Aqualight for my 10gal nano reef. It's soooo hard to find a T5 fixture for a tank only 20" and so far these 2 are the cheapest ones that seem like they will do the job. The corals I have are below in my signature.
     
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  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    The AquaticLife is a better unit than the Coralife.
     
  4. HollyG

    HollyG Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    ok, why? What makes it better? the only difference so far that i see is that the AquaticLife is linkable... other than that they seem to be the same except for the look of them.
     
  5. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    The Aquaticlife has better reflectors and uses a more powerful ballast to run the bulbs at closer to their full output. Replacement bulbs will need to be Coralife, Aquaticlife or UVL brand. Aquaticlife bulbs are also better than Coralife.
     
  6. zoo 4 life

    zoo 4 life Coral Banded Shrimp

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    +1 to that, I have Aquatic life actinic bulbs on my tank right now and they are way better than the ones that I replaced, ATI, I think. I would imagine that the other spectrums are on par with the actinic's as well.
     
  7. toua

    toua Flamingo Tongue

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    Whichever you pick you may want to just get the 24'' version. More bulb choices and better resale when you want to upgrade.
     
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  9. HollyG

    HollyG Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    I ended up getting the 20" AquaticLife dual bulb fixture. It seems that I will have to order in bulbs to fit that fixture, but where I ordered the fixture it comes with two 1000K and 2 actinic. So, it seems like that will be fine to use and I will have enough bulbs to last a long time unless one breaks or something. :) I also have my blue LED accent strip I can put on it aswell.... but I think that would be way too much blue lol.