Lighting suggestions

[eDavid]

A few hundred would be a good range, less would be nicer. DO you have a link of what you are suggesting?

[genocidex]

Well depending on how much h care about the look of it...
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Li...-RE/202052422/
Somethingblike that in 36" would work. Maybe maks a cheap canopy to mount them.... Just an idea since you dont need plants and would actually gain from lower light...

[eDavid]

The two lights I posted do have 3 settings. What if I just used a lower setting?

[FreakyFishie]

I'd thoroughly recommend the Kessil a150W Amazon Sun if you have live plants, they are 225$ a unit through Amazon.com and have free shipping, that's where I ordered mine. They are a little more expensive, but they are REALLY good lights and Kessil really stand behind their product so if you have ANY issues they will take care of it. They also don't take up as much space as "traditional" lights.

[KevinVA]

I don't understand why people are so anxious to throw so much money at expensive lighting. The cheaper brands are just as good as the more expensive brands, and they use the same bulbs...

[FreakyFishie]

I don't understand why people are so anxious to throw so much money at expensive lighting. The cheaper brands are just as good as the more expensive brands, and they use the same bulbs...

No, they don't :) There are actually many many cheap crappy lights with a high price tag, but outside of those are some true gems, just like with any lighting system. It's more of an investment towards the well being of you tank and money. Good lights will have a good warranty because the company stands behind their product. If something gives you what you're looking for then it's money well spent and some lights look better and grow plants (if that's what you're into) better than others and IMO you get what you pay for, it's your tank. Not to mention the energy saving power of LED without compromise to plant growth or looks and the pretty shimmer effects that look just like sunlight. Which if you're trying to emulate nature is a good thing isn't it? Only MH and LED produce the shimmer effect and MH uses way more electricity to do so, overall costing more to purchase and operate overall than LED, making the initial investment worth it.

[KevinVA]

I could make a DIY LED light fixture for about $20 that will imitate the shimmering you're talking about. I did it with blue lights to mimic the moon. LED fixtures will cost anywhere between $80-$300 (sometimes more), and for what? They're LED bulbs... They either turn on, or the connection is bad, and they don't. I don't buy into the hype. You can purchase a roll of LED lights on Amazon for $4-$20, depending on how many you want. You could do the same thing for CFL bulbs and a DIY fixture.

As for buying T5/T8 fixtures? The bulbs are all the same - 6500k, 10000k, plant, actnic, etc. Some do have different connections, but generally they all use the same type of connection (and if they don't, you can always find a bulb with the correct connection). They all do the same thing, and in a working fixture rated for the same wattage, etc, they all provide the same light... The only thing you should be concerned with, is if the fixture itself can turn off/on correctly.

If you want to pay a premium for a name brand with an extended warranty, far be it for me to tell you you're wrong. In my experience, the cheaper brands can perform flawlessly and look good, doing it. Odyssea is such a brand.

[FreakyFishie]

No, You can't :) You clearly haven't read up on the Kessil's. They're the one brand of LED lights that just can't be made DIY, I researched them for about 2 years before I bought one. They make they own chips in house so there's no where you can even purchase them.

[KevinVA]

So the fixture has a more powerful LED bulb that acts as a flood light. Am I correct? Seems to be the only difference I can find between that fixture and other LED fixtures (bought & DIY). It's nice to be able to limit the real estate that a traditional fixture will cost you, but depending on where you have this, you might need to purchase a shade to place around the fixture, since it can light up a room.