jmontee

Thinking about upgrading to the catalins aquariums 4x54 t5 for my 55g. I am using a coralife 2x65 now. Does anyone have any opinions on this fixture or other suggestions?

Thanks

ombcat

i hear it is a great light, I plan to get one later on
wilma

cah925

I bought the Catalina Solar 4x54W T5HO to replace a Coralife 4X65W PC. HUGE difference. 2X54W T5HO is comparable to 4X65W PC. When all bulbs are on it is VERY bright and I started having algae issues on my 75 gal. I would suggest the 2X54W Solar T5 on a 55 gal tank.

xavierj123

Amen to having algae appear. I have the Catalina T5 fixture with four bulbs: 2/54W, 10000k which I run but never turn on the other 2 actinic bulbs. It's a new setup of approximately 4 months and algae appears a little over a month ago. I have no idea why they ship them with 2 actinics because they are for saltwater and mind is freshwater. That's why I don't turn them on. I hear 10000k causes algae and it should be 6700k or less. Good luck.

supersmirky

Actinics have been known to cause the algae to appear. You can always replace them with some cheap 6k to 9k bulbs

yikesjason

You can have Catalina put in what ever bulbs you want at no extra charge. I have the 4x54 on my tank and I think CA are 2nd only to tek fixtures. But 4x is a lot of light for a 55 gallon. I think your fish might get a sunburn with that

jmontee

Actually while I was looking at CA I found that they have a 3x54w available so that's what I got. I am super happy with it so far. I always thought that all 4 bulbs would be overkill so I was only going to use three bulbs anyway. It was a great price, $139, and looks and works grteat. I may change one of the 6700k bulbs to a Geissman Midday or a GE 9325 cause it looks a little to yellow with 2 6700K and one 10000k.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to get these bulbs?