Lighting questions

[Farmboy]

Hey
I just have a few questions on lights that I wish to buy. I have a 75 Gallon Tank and want to grow corals.
What would you suggest to buy?
1.CaraLife aqualight SP 260Watts
2.What About T5 Lighting
3.Metal halide Lights- I know these are very expensive

Any info would be greatly appreciated

Kevin

[stinga]

Well you made just in time KEVIN!Everyone has been talking about lighting the last couple days and lots of info. around!My self I would like to go with 2x250 watt 10k MH and 2xT5 antics for a 70 gal......Youy'll be able to grow coral like nobodies buss.BBBut you'll need top quality water!I assume u know this....:Shades:

[Stasher]

Well you made just in time KEVIN!Everyone has been talking about lighting the last couple days and lots of info. around!My self I would like to go with 2x250 watt 10k MH and 2xT5 antics for a 70 gal......Youy'll be able to grow coral like nobodies buss.BBBut you'll need top quality water!I assume u know this....:Shades:

I agree with Stinga but substitue VHO instead of T5 ...IME

If you want to be able to keep more mushrooms and softies the 250's might be too much, mine hate the bright light but my SPS love it. How deep is your tank?

[Farmboy]

My tank is 22" deep, and what do you mean by VHO's? And where is a good place to buy these lights?

[shroom]

VHO -Very High Output, they are tube light that look like fluorescent lights but are much brighter and require a different fixture and ballast.

[scotchy]

Check out the lighting section of www.jlaquatics.com that should answer your questions on prices and what kind of lighting is out there.


Scott

[Invigor]

i'll do some fast math for you :)

I think waterboy sells 175w probe start ballasts for about $60. 2 for 120
bulbs are $75 each, so 150, (add say..$25 for shipping/tax)

we're at 295.

hagen glomat is about $40, actinic bulbs are $32.99 at western feeds, so $110ish.

$405 + a sheet of plywood and some paint found in the barn. and some elbow grease. and BANG! you've got a sweet setup!

not sure what 250w ballasts are worth, but for figures, let's pretend a dual 250w ballast costs $160, bulbs are $5 each more. it'll be $50 more for 250w.

now, unless you're planning on some crazy SPS corals, 175w halides should cover it.

A 4 bulb T5 setup would cost you ___________ (quinn, fill this in for me)

and that coralife fixture is $285 shipped to your door.


so now it's all on you on what you want to grow. in order of limitations, pc has most, t5 has less, and MH has very few.

[stinga]

Very nicely put John!:)

[jevan23]

A 4 bulb T5 setup would cost you ___________ (quinn, fill this in for me)
I just recently purchased a 4 bulb T5 setup, got it off ebay, heres a link if you want. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7706540180&sspagename=ADME:B:AAQ:CA:1

Cost me $160 for 4 bulbs, end pairs, end caps, reflectors, ballast, casing and tank mountings. Highly doubt you could build one for cheaper, ive looked everywhere.

[Quinster]

I am bringing in the Sun Aquatic 2X54W 4' Retro kits for $99 plus shipping, the killer on them is the shipping due to how you have to package the bulbs and the length of them. The kit includes a ballast, 4 waterproof endcaps, and 2 bulbs (either 10K or 20K or a combo of both):icon_idea

FYI for anyone interested

Quinn

[Cutter]

I just recently purchased a 4 bulb T5 setup, got it off ebay, heres a link if you want. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7706540180&sspagename=ADME:B:AAQ:CA:1

Cost me $160 for 4 bulbs, end pairs, end caps, reflectors, ballast, casing and tank mountings. Highly doubt you could build one for cheaper, ive looked everywhere.

Almost looks the same as the system Stinga posted under the other lighting thread on here.

Here is the link.

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=22

[Cutter]

Ah that system is a two bulb not a four bulb.

[sphelps]

Ah that system is a two bulb not a four bulb.

Yeah and I would expect anything spectacular from those. The bulbs are pretty ordinary, the best thing about the T5's are the german bulbs. The reflector isn't the best either, the only reflectors that actually work well with the T5s are the Tek 5's. I also doubt that that those bulbs are actually 54 watts, and you probably won't be able to upgrade to german bulbs anytime in the future as those ballasts probably won't be able to power them.

Bottom line is you get what you pay for, but I'm sure it will all work out for you.