Neji

Did the aquarium lights come in yet?

Psychlist1972

Just got them today.

++ Nice and bright. Good quality light

- The aluminum extrusion they use seems a bit flimsy; thinner than the one used on my Coralife. I only really noticed that, though, because I had a hard time installing the legs.

- A bit big. I can't open the glass tops on the tank to feed the fish, and the light would need to be completely removed for cleaning. I have it up on its legs and the back end touches my HOB filter, the front is about 1" back from the front of the tank. This would be no problem on a deeper tank, but a 55g is pretty narrow.

+ I asked Catalina to install hanging brackets in case I decided to hang it from the ceiling. I may do that, but not for a bit.

+ Individual reflectors for each T5 lamp.

+ Included 4 lamps (2 10k and 2 6500 plant lamps)

No big minuses, just a few nits. I'll try and take/post pics tomorrow or Friday.

Pete

Nate McFin

CONGRATS!
Thanks for the update. As I mentioned before the tilting legs from coralife should fit these as well. That way you could just tilt the lights out of the way for water changes. I think I will set mine up hanging as well though.
Interesting you thought they were a little flimsy as I had read that it wasnt just simialr but the exact same outer housing. Not verified by myself obviously.
How is the heat?
BEfore and after side by side comparison LOL

Psychlist1972

@Nate

Thanks!

The housing I got is the new vented housing they offer. It's really two extrusions with vent material between them and plastic caps on the end. Naturally, something like that will have more flex to it. Like I said, I only really noticed it because of the difficulty I had installing one of the legs. FWIW, I think the coralife legs are a better design, and look like they'd fit.

Catalina also offers a housing that is the same as the Coralife. However, it isn't vented.

I can't use the coralife adjustable legs because I have a glass top. If I remove the glass top, I can't use the light without the $75 splash guard kit; or my own version of same.

This is the unit I got:
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/prod...oducts_id=1423

For that price, you get 4 bulbs, two name-brand quality electronic ballasts, two switches and cords, individual reflectors and a vented black housing. That's pretty hard to beat without a severe sacrifice in quality.

I didn't get their moonlights as I haven't heard great things from them. I've been extremely happy with the moonlights I've ordered from:
http://shop.ebay.com/gsolom/m.html?_...1&_from=&_ipg=

I need to order a set to go with this light, but I have a set of 6 on my 55g tank with the plecos in it.

On the heat: not sure yet. I'll let you know after I have it running all day tomorrow.

Pete

Psychlist1972

Had all 4 lamps on for 2 1/2 hours this morning, and the glass top on the tank was hot. Despite catalina saying this doesn't need a fan, I really think it does. I hate to add the noise of one, but the ambient air around that lamp was really hot. Given that the tank was already 79/80 degrees due to August temps, I was concerned about it getting any hotter.

I cut it down to 2 lamps until I decide what to do about cooling.

I don't think lamps get hot enough to damage themselves, but they will transfer heat to the tank.

Pete

Psychlist1972

Photos here

New 4x54 T5HO Catalina light (pics)

Pete

Neji

Oh good

I hope you can deal with the small light problems. Like that it is fairly close to your HOB filter.

Psychlist1972

Agreed it is close to the AquaClear 110 HOB. That also makes getting into the tank a royal pain.

What I may do is hang it up a few inches higher, and run with all 4 lamps going. I should get better airflow, no issues with the filter (which is really good about not producing spray anyway) and still have solid medium lighting. I can then run with at least one of the glass tops off, which is my preference for dealing with temperature and oxygenation.

As always, thanks.

Pete