Was this a good deal?

[ReefRian]

I have Catalina Solar I Aluminum hood with 2 55wat PC lights, 1 day and 1 night. I spent $129 on this, was this a good deal or did I spend way too much.

I have been told that this will work for a FOWLR tank and a low lighting reef. If I decide to trade it for a better light what would you recommend? I have a 65gal but do not plan to make it into a full blown reef tank for a few years so I don't need anything too powerful.

 

[Anemone]

Since it came with the hood, IMO, you did fine. Yes, a used 175 MH might run in that range (without a hood or reflector), but in anything over a 2' long tank (the 65 is what, a 4' tank?), the 175 is going to leave some very dark areas.

Finally, if you're happy with your purchase, you didn't pay too much. However, although the lighting will be more than enough for a FOWLR, you'll want to upgrade when you go full-blown reef, but you may very well be able to add additional light to your current set up.

Good luck,
Kevin

 

[ReefRian]

Sorry, my tank is a 3' long, not a 4'. It's considered a tall, yet doesn't really look it, it just pretty wide. My hood covers almost the entire back of the tank.

 

[mariner]

If you eventually(even if a few years down the road) want to go to reef style then why upgrade now and then again later. Just get the best you can afford now cuz prices only increase as time goes on. Its called inflation. IMO, yes, you paid too much. Order on-line for the best prices. You probably could have gotten a hardly used 175 watt MH for that price.

 

[ReefRian]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Anemone:
<strong>Since it came with the hood, IMO, you did fine. Yes, a used 175 MH might run in that range (without a hood or reflector), but in anything over a 2' long tank (the 65 is what, a 4' tank?), the 175 is going to leave some very dark areas</strong><hr></blockquote>

My tank is 3', but it is wide. What does it mean that there will be dark areas? Right now I have a 110wat PC hood. Will this size also leave dark areas, and if so how do you get rid of them, by buying higher wattage lighting?

 

[esmithiii]

Check this out:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PA&Category_Code=PFOr

175 PFO retro (light, wiring, reflector & balast, no hood) for $164 New

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PA&Category_Code=PFOc

2x55W PFO retro (light, wiring, reflector & balast, no hood) for $130 New

Since you got the hood I would say you got a decent deal. You will want more light unless you plan on only keeping mushrooms and other low-light softies.

Ernie