eiginh

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/prod...oducts_id=1228

http://buildyouraquarium.com/catalog...51&language=en

I'm trying to look for a new light fixture for my tank and it's been taking a lot of time just to find the right one lol.

mathas

Catalina fixtures tend to get pretty good reviews, but you haven't mentioned what your goals are or which tank this is for, so it's hard to say if it would be a good fit for you.

eiginh

It's for my 10g, I'm trying to get a fully planted tank. Mostly about 80-90% planted. I want to make sure I have enough watts for the plants I may need, since it's a lot of WPG I'll be making a DIY co2 system as well. Atm I'm using Flourish Excel with eco complete substrate.

mathas

Have you given any thought to an AHSupply kit? http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm

It may cost a bit more if you buy an enclosure, or be a bit cheaper if you build one yourself, but their reflectors are top of the line for CF bulbs. I'm not sure what Catalina uses for reflectors.

eiginh

Yes I have but I don't want to build my own cover for it and I would have to spend more money on tools as well. They are very nice though, I really wanted to buy the AH Supply Kit.

Time

Well I am using a light from a marineland fixture on my 20 gallon that I want to plant. DIY Co2 is easy I havn't made one though. I built my own light stand for a satwater tank and it is much harder to do tube bulbs. I think you could use screw in flourescent.
If by SoCal you mean southern California in your location then guess who's near you!

mathas

In that case, the Catalina fixture is probably a good choice. Good luck with it!

eiginh

If I do buy this fixture can the bulb be replaced with any other types of bulbs that will fit in it?

TimeKeeper - Catalina's near me? lol

Time

Well I live in souther california and I am using screw in bulbs for a SW setup w/ finger corals. There are flourescent daylights that should work just get high wattage.

eiginh

I also found this.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...?pcatid=11418&

What do you think?

mathas

The fixture itself is likely to be pretty good, but I think the bulb it ships with is not ideal for freshwater plants, and by the time you factor in the cost of swapping that out, you'd be getting pretty close to the price of an AHSupply kit and enclosure.

eiginh

Would this be too much watts?

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...PROD&ProdID=95

mathas

That's a lot stronger than I would feel comfortable using.

eiginh

Even for a fully planted w/ med-high plants?

mathas

Yes, unless you have a very short photoperiod (how many hours per day the lights are on). The more I learn and experiment, the more I personally feel that too much attention is paid to having as many watts as possible while too little attention is paid to consistent and sufficient CO2/fertilization levels.

If I had a 10g tank with the 36W fixture you were looking at originally, I'd be shocked if there were more than a couple of plants I couldn't get to thrive.

eiginh

Ok, so I'm good with the catalina light fixtures then. I just want to make sure I have the necessary fixtures for a new project. Thank you.

In case I want the AH Supply 36w kit, is there a way to have a diy mounting legs for it?