are you serious

timsta67

timsta67

New Member
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/vb/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=15
I just bought a 150 gallon tank w/ stand great deal $400. no hood !! I have some experience w/ fresh water (55 gallon w/ Cichlid's) Any ways I plan on taking my time with this project and plan on spending a fare share of money i want the best. but looking at the lighting required for a reef tank i couldn't believe my eyes over $1000. for lighting system.
I need some advice with this next purchase.
 
sly

sly

Active Member
You CAN get away with Power Compact or T5 fluorescent lights in many circumstances and they are cheaper, but to have a full reef you are going to need metal halides and YES they cost that much. Just think stadium lighting.... same thing, except with aquariums the lights are more expensive because the spectrum is designed to encourage coral growth while also filtering out light frequencies which cause algae to grow.
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
Look around classified ads, craigslist, auctions sites, etc. there are deals to be had. Lots of folks get in and then lose interest. I rarly buy anything new. Be patient and always look around. I just got a 6 month old t5 tek 6x54w light for about half of what it cost new.
 
cgrant

cgrant

Active Member
purchasing used is a good way to save some cash!

Just be cautious on how old the bulbs are, MH bulbs can easily run 90 bucks each.
 
xdave

xdave

Active Member
IMO, if you don't keep clams or sps corals you should be able to get away with T5's.
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
three words for you (actually six):
DIY (do it yourself):stands, canopys. DIY stand has cost me $50 so far (complete frame) and I expect anticipate skinning, staining and finishing to cost under $50 more dollars. Canopy should be even less. dont have a slew of tools either ($20 jig saw, one clamp, 4' metal ruler, level, dremel and elec screwdriver that half work pretty much sums it up)
Used: tanks, skimmers, lighting, rocks, any damn thing thats in good working order. the tank it self it probably most risky. Paid $150 for my 100g. lots of new no name egay stuff that works perfectly fine too at a fraction of name brand retail stuff (acrylic sump, overflow box)
Retro: lighting. most people with tanks larger than 48"s have/want a canopy in which case retro lighting is a ton cheaper than a typical fixture. You can mount retro Metal halide 150-250w lights for under $200 per light all day long and name brand too. You dont have to pay $1000 for lighting. You can easily get and mount 3 new 250w single ended metal halide lights for $600 which will support anything. May not be a TOP brand but they will do.
 
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