Lighting suggestions for newb

[habs247]

I once again turn to the experts.

My new rimless 100g (48x24x20) display is currently being built and I'm looking for lighting suggestions from the members here. I'll likely start of with easy to keep corals but would like to eventually move to SPS once I have more experience - and would rather not have to switch fixtures at that point. Balancing cost is important too. Wife would also prefer something aesthetically pleasing. So yeah, basically looking for a super fixture that doesn't break the bank .

This is what I'm considering, from cheapest to most expensive:

1) 36" Tek 6 bulb T5 (is this long enough over a 48" tank?)
2) 48" Tek (in the case that the 36" isn't long enough)
3) 2 AI sol blues (also looking for an elegant hanging solution if anyone has come up or seen one)
4) 2 Radions (same as AIs - need to find a hanging solution)

Thoughts? Suggestions I haven't considered?

Thanks in advance.

[FitoPharmer]

My vote would be for option 3.

I have been eyeing up the AI sol's for some time now.

[The Grizz]

If you decide to go with SOL's or Radions you could go with something like Coralgurl's triple Radion hanger.

[Nano]

I have a 48" t5 set up for sale, brand new never been used. 4 bulb, and extra bulbs.

[tim the toolman]

250$ for a 36" 6 bulb with bulbs included and new fans recently installed.

Doh im in edmonton though

[Bblinks]

Option 3 or 4, both are easily mounted with some u channels from homedepot. Led are the way to go, also check out sunbrite leds. They are coming out with a nice looking high powered fixture with I think has a good spectrum coverage that can be controlled on you smart phone.

[e46er]

Your price difference between options 1/2 and options 3/4 are huge

Kinda like what car should I buy Honda civic or corvette

AI sol and radions are new technology and expensive
Sol are what $450 each? Radions $825 each and you will need 2 of both
You can get a 48" 6 bulb tek used for few hundred and all new bulbs for less that 1 sol

[BoondockSaint]

Originally Posted by e46er

Your price difference between options 1/2 and options 3/4 are huge

Kinda like what car should I buy Honda civic or corvette

AI sol and radions are new technology and expensive
Sol are what $450 each? Radions $825 each and you will need 2 of both
You can get a 48" 6 bulb tek used for few hundred and all new bulbs for less that 1 sol

but when you consider that bulbs last like 8-9 months, and cost $180 a pop to replace all 6 versus an ai sols 50000 hour LED module lifespan (5.7 years) and relative low cost to replace (apparently ~$25 a 'puck'), the AI sol would have itself paid off and working to your advantage in just over 3 years. take into consideration the wattage youll be saving and the time youll be saving from less frequient water top ups (LED = less heat = less evaporation), theyll be paying themselves off even sooner.

2 AI sol ($399.00 x2 = 798) - Tek6 ($250) = $548 / $180 = 3.04~

[e46er]

did you finance your house or pay in cash?
you kno if you had just saved the 1/2 million bux you could have saved yourself a bunch of money................

I kno in the long run LED overall costs are cheeper but its a big bill to swallow at once which was my point

[StrikingMoose]

Originally Posted by e46er

did you finance your house or pay in cash?
you kno if you had just saved the 1/2 million bux you could have saved yourself a bunch of money................

I kno in the long run LED overall costs are cheeper but its a big bill to swallow at once which was my point

lol this made me laugh