D&d Hqi 28 Gal Or Orca Tl-550?

[matlamont]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get my first nano tank and my research has led me to the D&D HQI 28 Gal or Orca TL-550. I phoned my LFS and he suggested to go for the D&D and forget about the Orca. At the moment they have an offer on the D&D with the metal halide for £399 complete with stand and skimmer etc.

D&D now have the LED system for this tank and he also highly recommended i buy that as it would save me £10 a week on electric plus i would get a much better lighting system that is cooler. He said he could do me a good deal for the D&D HQI 28 Gal with LED for £599 as the normal retail price is £699. He also said that there is only 1 LED lid in the country and i would have to pay a deposit if i wanted it. I aint desperate as i'm not ready for a tank just yet but i would like your thoughts on what he said. Would i save that much electric? Is £599 a good price? Or is a Red Sea Max another option for that price?

Regards

 

[Morri]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get my first nano tank and my research has led me to the D&D HQI 28 Gal or Orca TL-550. I phoned my LFS and he suggested to go for the D&D and forget about the Orca. At the moment they have an offer on the D&D with the metal halide for £399 complete with stand and skimmer etc.

D&D now have the LED system for this tank and he also highly recommended i buy that as it would save me £10 a week on electric plus i would get a much better lighting system that is cooler. He said he could do me a good deal for the D&D HQI 28 Gal with LED for £599 as the normal retail price is £699. He also said that there is only 1 LED lid in the country and i would have to pay a deposit if i wanted it. I aint desperate as i'm not ready for a tank just yet but i would like your thoughts on what he said. Would i save that much electric? Is £599 a good price? Or is a Red Sea Max another option for that price?

Regards

I would just look for a second Orca TL550 on fleabay I am not a fan on the D&D HQI halide lights in enclosed space cause wayyy to much heat I suspect there is a deal on as D&D have a new range coming out and they are getting rid of stock.

The LEDs will be nowhere near as bright as the Halide and are still in there infancy stil a lot of varying results

I stand by my second hand Orca perfect starter tank enough volume for 5 fish you can keep LPS and Softees no problem Montipora can be kept also in the tank near the top

£599 is a lot of cash to fork out just for the tank I paid £180 for my first tank which came with fish corals and LR all fish went to my LFS for store credit though so cost me roughly £150 to buy just LR from an LFS you are looking at £12.99 x 20.

Best save a few ££££ for test kits etc.

 

[matlamont]

Yea i have read good things about the Orca and there was the salesman attitude in his manner so i took it all with a pinch of salt really. Is the standard equipment with the Orca up to scratch?

 

[Morri]

Everything works fine there are a few tweaks you can make better moonlights upgraded return pump but all provided does the job I know a lot of us here have had these tanks

 

[matlamont]

Thanks for the advice, not too happy with my LFS now as he told a fib already today. Oh well thats business i suppose...

 

[seffieuk]

Agree with everything Morri said, as a former orca owner I would not hesitate in buying another if I was down sizing

Seffie x

 

[Harry1996]

i did see the dd tank with LED lid thing in pfk they gave it good rating but i think its a lot of money for what it is. i agree with everyone else.