Originally Posted by JTK
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Alarmguy, your marine setup is awesome!! I know nothing about marine and the such little water change amount needed intrigues me. I do know nitrates run higher in marine water. Just curious how nitrates and total disolved solids, etc, are maintained..
I do disagree a bit on the Odyssea T5 lighting. I had one of their 48" twin tube T5HOs over my planted 55g for a few years, but the ballast gave up the ghost and a replacement was nearly half of what I paid for the whole fixture. The other issue is the plastic lamp holders get brittle and break off. Not a huge deal as you can rig up other means. Same exact issues happened with a 30" twin tube Odyssea T5HO I had over my 29g. The other issue with T5 lighting over planted tanks is, fluorescent lamps loose their PAR output every minute they're fired up. Given I used them 8hrs/day, every day, I'd need to replace lamps every 6-12 months even they were not even close to being burned out. Not doing so would result in slow plant growth and increased algae growth in freshwater setups.
I guess my point is, if you are starting fresh, buying new, I'd go with decent name brand LED fixtures from Current Satellite, Finnex, Marineland, etc. I replaced my 48" odyssea with a 48" Current Satellite planted + about 5yrs ago. It's been perfect. LEDs obviously loose their PAR output too, but it's a much slower process.
Thanks JTK ...
Yes, maybe I should have pointed out that its possible after a few years for an electronic ballast to give out.
Its almost like those replacement LED and fluorescent bulbs for our homes, "lasts 11 years" yeah right. Unless the circuit board or ballistic gives out.
Over the last 10 years, I did have one give out on my 52 gallon corner.
Now with the 75 I have two new strips.
Ummm ... to each their own on this subject, we all have to do with what is good for us.
All lights will have issues percentage wise. For the cost I feel the Odyssea cant not be beat for, again, a Reef Style tank and they are so darn cheap, add to that the unlimited tube options I have for light spectrum.
Using LEDs and needing the amount of power and proper light spectrum for me is grossly expensive and even then, your taking the manufacturers word for it where with the Odessa I can put the same exact full spectrum tubes the pot growing and agriculture industry uses.
I agree and think I mentioned with fresh water you really can use whatever light you want.