Deep blue 4x54 t5

GratefulReef · Oct 8, 2012

Looking into getting one of these fixtures, as I found what I believe to be a pretty good deal. I have 2 questions if fitted with ATI/geismann or similiar bulb will it be enough light for my 75g mixed reef? Have a lobo, and a bunch of softies toadstools shrooms etc. Also what would you consider a good deal for this fixture he says its already got geismann bulbs in it that were used for less than 3 months.

revsgirl · Oct 8, 2012

:bump2:

reefjunky24 · Oct 8, 2012

I looked into a smaller one i like that the one i was looking at had individual switches, but the reflectors aren't the best they are common and with just softies I would say you are fine if you switch the bulbs to ATI's, i run ati's on a regular fixture nothing special and was having no problems, i have all LPS

GratefulReef · Oct 8, 2012

Well, my goal is LEDs but prob gotta wait til tax time for that. However my lighting is in need of an upgrade. I have a t8 4 bulb system and its just not quite cutting it. Yea, this has moonlight leds, programmable, timer figure i'll throw some geismann or ATIs in there and it will get me through til tax season.

SeymourDuncan · Oct 9, 2012

I personally have one. The stock bulbs are ok, but when upgraded ROCKS!!! Its a cheap fixture, and has its faults but makes up with GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. BETTER THAN DELL!!!! haha. BUt its totally worth it. If a ballast goes out they send you free ones for life. Or you can mail the whole fixture (ALWAYS SAVE BOX AND RECEIPT..although i got my light as a gift and had no receipt, they still sent it to me) and they fix it for the cost of shipping it there. They pay shipping on the way back.
Jump on it if your tank will be fine with t5s, otherwise go LED. Reef Breeders dimmable 120w (i think) is cheaper and KICKS BUTT, but I dont know whats up with their customer service.

SeymourDuncan · Oct 9, 2012

Free shipping when they send you parts too.

SeymourDuncan · Oct 9, 2012

another thing...since you are getting it used, just tell them you got it as a gift when it faults. Easy peasy

GratefulReef · Oct 9, 2012

Yep, its actually about to be delivered, Im excited its like christmas! Will post a couple pics when I get it up and running, and was already thinking to tell them it was a gift the guy has the original packaging and all, possibly the receipt too so one way or another I should be good. Does that cover the LED moonlights as well, will they send me replacements for that?

ironworker · Oct 9, 2012

i have had one over a year now over my 40 breeder with sps acros. i changed the bulbs to ati and this fixture is great,, like he said it has its faults but awesome for the price. i like how it has a glass cover instead of acrylic and the plug also has a built in gfci. you will love it just replace the bulbs if they are spent

GratefulReef · Oct 9, 2012

Its got some deep blue bulbs in it, theyre not terrible but def going to upgrade to a ATI/geis combo in the next couple months, figure why waste the bulbs that are fresh in it and will help the corals adjust to the stronger lighting. I will post pics tomorrow as its time for my lights to be off and I just got it setup on the tank. Ran them for a min or 2 just to see, and wow what a change! Time to figure out how to program it now....programming went easier than anticipated. The guy who sold it to me already had it on pretty much the exact setup i want, actinics on around 830am, days at 10, days off at 630 actinics off at 730 all I had to do was set the time

ironworker · Oct 9, 2012

cons if you lose power it will lose current time but will store time settings just will not keep the current time, it will default back to midnight.

also the deep blue bulbs are horrible, i have ati blue plus, ati coral plus, ati aqua blue special, and giessman actinic plus. and love the combo. get rid of those stock bulbs soon. trust me it will make a world of difference in growth and color. i cant tell you how much it changes.

SeymourDuncan · Oct 10, 2012

GratefulReef said:
Its got some deep blue bulbs in it, theyre not terrible but def going to upgrade to a ATI/geis combo in the next couple months, figure why waste the bulbs that are fresh in it and will help the corals adjust to the stronger lighting. I will post pics tomorrow as its time for my lights to be off and I just got it setup on the tank. Ran them for a min or 2 just to see, and wow what a change! Time to figure out how to program it now....programming went easier than anticipated. The guy who sold it to me already had it on pretty much the exact setup i want, actinics on around 830am, days at 10, days off at 630 actinics off at 730 all I had to do was set the time

Isnt it awesome to see new lights, even cheapos....I was running (on a 75) an 18w ultrasun t8, an led made for a 10g, and some flashlights wired up.....ghetto!!! THen I got this as a gift from my mom and could resist turning it on at 10pm for a few hrs too..
search (deeply) and you can find info on the recalls they had, i believe they had a gfci fault at one point, but that may have been only the old models...but like I said, they will replace it.
Good luck figuring out how to get to the ballasts...I will let you tinker before I give away the secret lol. Once their rep told me how to open it i felt like rainman, except i couldnt do it...not without 2 ppl. But the glass cover is good, I havent had a problem with salt creep so much...mayne if you have an open to, silicone around the opening with some easy to remove stuff for maintenance on the bulbs. Other than that, the timer is akward, but if you folllow the instructions it will be fine, you may get carpal tunnel pressing the time buttons over and over, its 24 hr with no am or pm, so its a heck of a time clicking, it may have a preset time in it too, but who has the same schedule??