Looking for recommendations for a new light fixture

I've had my Coralife Aqualight fixture for about two years now, and I'm
disappointed to find that the electrical caps (? the sockets that
connect to the lamps) seem to be corroding, to the point where I can't
replace the bulbs without cracking the caps and exposing the lamp pins.
This is pretty disappointing. What is the average expected lifetime
of a light fixture over a reef tank, anyway? It sits directly on top
of the tank so I suppose it gets more exposure to corrosive elements,
even with the acrylic shield.

The Aqualight is relatively inexpensive, but it still seems to me like
I should get more than a couple of years out of it. I'm not good with
electrical wiring etc. so I'm pretty leery about the idea of repairing
it. Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement fixture? I'm
looking for a 48" PC fixture, preferably holding four 55w/65w lamps.
Ideally the electrical cords would come out of the back, not out of the
side as they do with the Aqualight.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbit.html

I just got this one. May be more light than you want but it has everything
you need. It has glass between the bulbs and the aquarium that may keep the
corrosion from the fixtures. Take a look and let me know what you think. I
was looking at Aqualite's originally but went with this one.

B


"Captain Feedback" wrote in message
ps.com...
I've had my Coralife Aqualight fixture for about two years now, and I'm
disappointed to find that the electrical caps (? the sockets that
connect to the lamps) seem to be corroding, to the point where I can't
replace the bulbs without cracking the caps and exposing the lamp pins.
This is pretty disappointing. What is the average expected lifetime
of a light fixture over a reef tank, anyway? It sits directly on top
of the tank so I suppose it gets more exposure to corrosive elements,
even with the acrylic shield.

The Aqualight is relatively inexpensive, but it still seems to me like
I should get more than a couple of years out of it. I'm not good with
electrical wiring etc. so I'm pretty leery about the idea of repairing
it. Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement fixture? I'm
looking for a 48" PC fixture, preferably holding four 55w/65w lamps.
Ideally the electrical cords would come out of the back, not out of the
side as they do with the Aqualight.

Thanks in advance.

Bryan;

Actually I was considering the Current Satellite Dual fixture, so I'd
have the same amount of light. I've heard that the fan in this fixture
is pretty noisy, though.

http://www.current-usa.com/satellite.html

Bryan wrote:
http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbit.html

I just got this one. May be more light than you want but it has everything
you need. It has glass between the bulbs and the aquarium that may keep the
corrosion from the fixtures. Take a look and let me know what you think. I
was looking at Aqualite's originally but went with this one.

It's better to use them with the feet. They have feet you
can buy as an option. They are going to be including the
feet with the lights in the future, instead of suggesting
it as an option.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Captain Feedback wrote on 6/17/2006 9:30 AM:
I've had my Coralife Aqualight fixture for about two years now, and I'm
disappointed to find that the electrical caps (? the sockets that
connect to the lamps) seem to be corroding, to the point where I can't
replace the bulbs without cracking the caps and exposing the lamp pins.
This is pretty disappointing. What is the average expected lifetime
of a light fixture over a reef tank, anyway? It sits directly on top
of the tank so I suppose it gets more exposure to corrosive elements,
even with the acrylic shield.

The Aqualight is relatively inexpensive, but it still seems to me like
I should get more than a couple of years out of it. I'm not good with
electrical wiring etc. so I'm pretty leery about the idea of repairing
it. Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement fixture? I'm
looking for a 48" PC fixture, preferably holding four 55w/65w lamps.
Ideally the electrical cords would come out of the back, not out of the
side as they do with the Aqualight.

Thanks in advance.

I hear you, and I'm considering it. The reason I don't use them with
the feet right now is because I have a canopy over the tank which gives
me only a bit more than 4" of clearance. I have the canopy because I
have a cat. I don't really care about the cat falling in (I figure
it'll happen once and he'll be quick to get out), I'm more concerned
about him knocking the light fixture into the tank. ;-)

Wayne Sallee wrote:
It's better to use them with the feet. They have feet you
can buy as an option. They are going to be including the
feet with the lights in the future, instead of suggesting
it as an option.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

I have the Current-USA legs on mine but I still need a couple of inches.
The filter bubbles pop and I get a lot of salt collecting on that glass
cover.

B

"Wayne Sallee" wrote in message
...
It's better to use them with the feet. They have feet you can buy as an
option. They are going to be including the feet with the lights in the
future, instead of suggesting it as an option.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Captain Feedback wrote on 6/17/2006 9:30 AM:
I've had my Coralife Aqualight fixture for about two years now, and I'm
disappointed to find that the electrical caps (? the sockets that
connect to the lamps) seem to be corroding, to the point where I can't
replace the bulbs without cracking the caps and exposing the lamp pins.
This is pretty disappointing. What is the average expected lifetime
of a light fixture over a reef tank, anyway? It sits directly on top
of the tank so I suppose it gets more exposure to corrosive elements,
even with the acrylic shield.

The Aqualight is relatively inexpensive, but it still seems to me like
I should get more than a couple of years out of it. I'm not good with
electrical wiring etc. so I'm pretty leery about the idea of repairing
it. Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement fixture? I'm
looking for a 48" PC fixture, preferably holding four 55w/65w lamps.
Ideally the electrical cords would come out of the back, not out of the
side as they do with the Aqualight.

Thanks in advance.

I'm very new to lighting. On my OuterOrbit the fan is very negligible.
It's a pretty sold light so that might be why. I'm willing to bet there's a
pet store or two that uses your Satellite fixture. Maybe you can drive to a
couple and see if they have 'em to listen to.

B


"Captain Feedback" wrote in message
oups.com...
Bryan;

Actually I was considering the Current Satellite Dual fixture, so I'd
have the same amount of light. I've heard that the fan in this fixture
is pretty noisy, though.

http://www.current-usa.com/satellite.html

Bryan wrote:
http://www.current-usa.com/outerorbit.html

I just got this one. May be more light than you want but it has
everything
you need. It has glass between the bulbs and the aquarium that may keep
the
corrosion from the fixtures. Take a look and let me know what you think.
I
was looking at Aqualite's originally but went with this one.

On 17 Jun 2006 06:30:49 -0700, "Captain Feedback"
wrote:

it. Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement fixture? I'm
looking for a 48" PC fixture, preferably holding four 55w/65w lamps.
Ideally the electrical cords would come out of the back, not out of the
side as they do with the Aqualight.

Well it doesn't answer your particular question, but I've decided that
I definitely won't be using expensive aquarium units myself in future.
I used an inexpensive industrial spot type halide fitting for the
little nano tank I set up last month, it's got a 150W 10K MH bulb
bought separately. It sits well clear of the water and is not likely
to corrode any time soon, I'd seen them used with success over dealers
tanks. There is a bubbler in there, yet the salt doesn't get near it,
even though it's an open setup. Excuse the temporary top up
arrangements etc on shelf above, about to sort out a decent auto topup
for it and tidy up.

http://www.risedale.com/nonpublic/tank01.jpg

Steve

Looks like a Wayne Sallee engineered setup to me. I have to agree with
reefbay, his work as well as your work looks like a 2 years old did
it.


On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 16:49:24 GMT, Steve
wrote:

On 17 Jun 2006 06:30:49 -0700, "Captain Feedback"
wrote:

it. Anyone have a recommendation for a replacement fixture? I'm
looking for a 48" PC fixture, preferably holding four 55w/65w lamps.
Ideally the electrical cords would come out of the back, not out of the
side as they do with the Aqualight.

Well it doesn't answer your particular question, but I've decided that
I definitely won't be using expensive aquarium units myself in future.
I used an inexpensive industrial spot type halide fitting for the
little nano tank I set up last month, it's got a 150W 10K MH bulb
bought separately. It sits well clear of the water and is not likely
to corrode any time soon, I'd seen them used with success over dealers
tanks. There is a bubbler in there, yet the salt doesn't get near it,
even though it's an open setup. Excuse the temporary top up
arrangements etc on shelf above, about to sort out a decent auto topup
for it and tidy up.

http://www.risedale.com/nonpublic/tank01.jpg

Steve


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Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 11:59:01 -0500, Köi-Lö ¤1¤ôx@ôÜ1Ô.ôôô wrote:

Looks like a Wayne Sallee engineered setup to me. I have to agree with
reefbay, his work as well as your work looks like a 2 years old did
it.

Never said it was supposed to look like anything particular at all,
it's an old sump with some marine livestock in it to interest the
kids, no more no less. Post was just a comment about a way to light
tank really.

Manners and social skills ain't your strong point, huh?

Steve