Just Ordered The New Light.

Well i just ordered the new light fixture. I went with the Catalina Aquarium fixture, mainly due to price and i have seen some really good reviews. Only bad reviews where some people complaining about the bulbs, and another where the guys fixture came in with 3 broken bulbs, but it looks like they have fixed this issue with this by making wooden braces.

Now for the fixture i got and 8 bulb 24" T-5HO, 6 10,000k bulbs and 2 460 blue actnics. I also got moonlights and mounting legs. I got a really good deal on it and they will work with you on what you need. I got the 460's wired to their own switch, and the 6 10k are wired to the other. Im doing this to simulate the dawn dusk cycles.

I will post pics once it arrives.

 

Sweet, I just ordered my new the lights the other day. A 4 bulb T5 fixture, 2 10K and 2 actinics. Can't wait for it to get here, supposed to be Monday.

 

From what i hear they are a huge step better than the PC. Hell we have 3-t-8's right now on a 45 gallon. Im happy i finally got the money and time to upgrade the sucker.

 

Yeah, I can't wait to see the difference over PCs. Now the only thing left to do is to construct a screen top so my goby never gets the chance to jump.

 

What kind of reflector does this catalina t5 have?

 

It says individual, but its more of a /\/\/\/\_/\/\/\/\ setup. I will remove the "baffle" and place some real ILR's soon. For the price i wont complain

 

;D

The light shipped today. Estimated delivery is December 1st.

As soon as that thing arrives i will have some pics and a review of the company. I havent seen much on here about them so maybe this can work out to be a good company with great prices.

 

Any update on your light? I followed your thread and placed an order yesterday for the 48" with 2x250 HQI and 4x54 T-5's. Really anxious to hear about build quality.

Pete

 

Wow.

Ok the light arrived today after a shipping delay on the 1st, and it getting sent in the wrong truck today, i called and within an hour it was at my house.

So im going to do a quick review and get some nice pics and an in depth review tomorrow.

Overall i am very impressed with this fixture. Build quality is top notch, for a handmade fixture it does have a few minor flaws but they are to the point where i would need to point them out for someone to see. The bulb connectors are a bit awkward compared to the twist ones, these are a plug in style with 2 clamps that hold the bulbs in. TO be honest i like it alot better tha the twist style end caps. The reflector was highly reflective, looked better than any mirror in the house, even though they are not parabolic the V point design works very well.

I am also very impressed with the customer service and pricing of these fixtures. On the site the light is listed at $400 + shipping, as well as $10 for the mounting legs, and an additional $30 for the moonlights. I decided to call my order to talk about the fixture and get the custom wiring done. HE sold me the light for $300 shipped and it was an additional $40 for the legs and moonlights. He even threw in the intensity adjustable moonlights which are and additional $15. It might not be a Tek light but i got it for less than the 4 bulb fixture i was looking at.

The bulbs got warm after about 30-40 min of being and it wasnt to the point where i would burn myself but they did get warm. The design utilizes no cooling fans, and the ballasts are all mounted in the middle on the top with a grate over them to allow heat to naturally dissipate. I may add fans later if i find it gets too warm.

I was impressed with the output but my choice of 6 10k bulbs and 2 actinics may come back to bite me as they are freaking bright. Im talking to the point i could see parts and colors on the fish i have never seen before. So im going to get 2 420NM bulbs to help get more blue in the tank and cut down the intensity of the white. The moonlights are bright but not to bright its a very pleasing glow that gives the mushrooms fantastic color, even after about 3 mins being on the shrooms started turning inside out and the polyps on the sea whips where open. The clown fish seemed to be in a trance with the moons just kind of swimming in place under the lights.

I will get some good pics tomorrow and post them when i get off work.

Once again i am very satisfied with the light and for us reefers this company has some great options and at great prices.

 

cool congrads!