Could I get good reef lighting for under $400

[kyarnkid]

I have a canopy with my 55 gallon tank, but the canopy is set up to where half of it flips up and the other half does not move. Its an All Glass(brand name) canopy that fits a 55. Does that make sense?
Well, I think that I cannot have a retro fit because of this. Or can I? If I can will this prevent me from lifting the canopy up again?
I want to have 2 power compact and two VHO lighting. The 2 power compact will be white and the VHO will be actinic. I want this set up to be under or aroun $400 dollars. If I cannot get a retro kit will this price be possible?

 

[option720]

If you go to AHsupply.com you will find the best deal on PC's. HelloLights.com has a great deal on VHO ballast Too. But i must ask, why VHO and PC? I say you just go all VHO, i think you will be more satisfied and it will be alot cheaper to buy the one VHO ballest instead of a VHO and a PC ballast. But do whatever you want to. <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[kyarnkid]

OK,
This is stupid but what is a ballast? I have heard that PC has superior white lights compared the VHO. However, I have heard that VHO has superior actinics.
Am I getting my story mixed up?

 

[rickt4du]

I HATE the white PC's...YELLOW is the best description. I got 4 bulb ballast retro kit with bulbs for under $400. Thats all VHO. Have a great day!

 

[secondtry]

I also have a 55g and i think it's hard to light. Most of the hoods with 4 bulbs are 12 to 12 and a half inches. If you have hoses, or pumps, or anything on the back of your 55, you will have under 12 inches. Then, you have to cut back to a smaller lighting unit. Hope this makes sense. Anyway, you might want to consider smartlamps which you could get for $300, but would limit the corals you could get.

 

[keitho]

i realize this isn't what you've asked for, but you can get metal halide retrofit kits for that amount of money. i got 2-175W 12000K metal halides, ballasts, and reflectors for around $350 from
<a href="http://www.aquaticlight.com" target="_blank">www.aquaticlight.com</a>
their merchandise is top quality and i will order again from them when i need to. as metioned in a previous post, hellolights.com offers a wide variety of retrofit parts and bulbs at very reasonable prices. hope this helps

 

[kyarnkid]

What are reflectors for? and keitho can you e mail me and tell me what you set up is like please
Kyarnkid@yahoo.com
That goes for anyone too, If anyone is an expert on light fixtures, please help by e mailing me

 

[kyarnkid]

What are reflectors for? and keitho can you e mail me and tell me what you set up is like please
Kyarnkid@yahoo.com
That goes for anyone too, If anyone is an expert on light fixtures, please help by e mailing me

 

[mlm]

I bought a VHO ballast 3 110 watt vho bulbs, a PC ballast and 2 pc 55 watt bulbs for 345 dollars at hellolights. I also have 55 gallon tank.

 

[kyarnkid]

MLM,
Could you possibly e mail me and kind of coach me through getting a set up on my 55 gallon?
kyarnkid@yahoo.com
I would really appreciate it

 

[xenia]

My friend bought my old 60g tank and bought the Hamilton pc's for it and I thought for sure she had vho's in it, it was that close. I had JBJ's on that tank before and the Hamilton's looked a lot better. Obtw, she did spend about $400 for her lighting, about a hundred more than I paid for my JBJ's.
Your right! I have a Hamilton and a JBJ. The Actinic is so much better with the Hamilton, it is unbelivable. I sure hope JBJ gets better Actinics.
Xenia

 

[majesticangelfish]

Try <a href="http://www.lampsnow.com" target="_blank">www.lampsnow.com</a> and you will be <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" /> <img src="graemlins//bah.gif" border="0" alt="[bah]" /> <img src="graemlins//uhuh.gif" border="0" alt="[U-Huh]" /> after you see their pricing! I am considering to order this one unless anyone disrecommend.

 

[ren]

d0-it-yourselfers should checl 1000bulbs.com $37.50 for 250W Metal Halide ballasts