Captive Sun Retros, Any good?

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by bluetang08, Nov 28, 2009.

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  1. bluetang08

    bluetang08 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    So I stumbled upon this retrofit kit at marinedepot.com which I know from experience to be a reputable dealer so my question is with the captive sun company. Has anyone heard of them or had any experience? My biggest fear is to buy these things and have them crap out on me in a year
     
    bluetang08, Nov 28, 2009
    bluetang08, Nov 28, 2009
    #1

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  2. bluetang08

    bluetang08 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Nobody knows anything about them?
     
    bluetang08, Nov 29, 2009
    bluetang08, Nov 29, 2009
    #2
  3. bluetang08

    bluetang08 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    bump
     
    bluetang08, Dec 2, 2009
    bluetang08, Dec 2, 2009
    #3
  4. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    A link would help, or a pic.
     
    swagger87, Dec 2, 2009
    swagger87, Dec 2, 2009
    #4
  5. bluetang08

    bluetang08 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    Im kinda comp illiterate I donk know how to create links but its marinedepot.com they are captive sun retrofit kits
     
    bluetang08, Dec 2, 2009
    bluetang08, Dec 2, 2009
    #5
  6. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Like this??

    Captive Sun Retrofit Lighting System

    IMHO unless you have a stash of vho bulbs to use up, I would not buy any vho fixture at all. T5ho are much more efficient and put out more light than vho.

    It does have a 175w MH, and that is nice, but the reflector on that retro is pretty much ineffective.
     
    horkn, Dec 2, 2009
    horkn, Dec 2, 2009
    #6

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  7. browntrout

    browntrout Fire Shrimp

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    some people will argue that VHO gives off a better blue than T5
     
    browntrout, Dec 2, 2009
    browntrout, Dec 2, 2009
    #7
  8. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Eh, that argument is pretty much moot. If you can't find a color of t5ho bulb to make you happy, you have not looked very hard. Then again, I ahve never seen a good blue from a VHO, pink purple yes, from a vho, but you can get t5ho in that color as well. Now the ATI blue+ is by far the best blue bulb out there.

    I keep hearing from industry insiders that all the VHO bulbs that are out there are all that will ever be made. See making VHO bulbs apparently is bad for the environment, and the phosphors to make t5s are not anywhere near as nasty as the ones for VHO.


    What looks good to some folks is a very subjective thing, so that is why IMHO the VHO color argument still has any merit.
     
    horkn, Dec 2, 2009
    horkn, Dec 2, 2009
    #8