DIY Lighting...HELP!

[javajoe]

I am brand new to the reef tank hobby, and have been very excited about building our reef tank. We got a good deal on a 75 gallon tank, and in all my research i figured that i didn't need to read up that much on lighting (don't laugh!). As you can well guess, I just found out that lighting can be very expensive for keeping coral! The guy a the LFS told me that the lighting unit that i need for my tank is around $550.00! Needles to say, I was a little suprised, and am now looking at building my own lighting fixtures.
I have done quite a bit of research, and have become more and more confused by all the different information that is out there. I am wondering if anyone can provide some links to easy to follow instructions on builing the needed lighting for a 75 gallon tank. I am not sure whether to use metal halite, or actinic. Have seen infomration indicating that halite are better, but heat becomes an issue. I found one link that seems pretty easy to follow, but I was told at the LFS that i need 5 watts per gallon, and these plans use a 40 watt balast- which seems to me that it would be too small. (This is the link...)
Any advice, suggestions, etc that you all could provide would be much appreciated....
Thanks in advance......
Joe
[ August 14, 2001: Message edited by: Javajoe ]

 

[option720]

JavaJoe-
I think that you are the same person that sent me an email today, if so hi agian. First off there are some basic issues of lighting that you need understand. Metal halide is type of bulb and actinic is the color or light spectrum that the bulb give off. Actinic bulbs come in the form of VHO which is Very High Output, PC or power compact and NO or Normal Output. All three of the these forms are all flourecent bulbs. There are no Metal halide bulbs that come in an actinic color. You can find some MH bulbs that have a very blue color that will eliminate the need for actinic bulbs. This is very confusing subject and many people have many opinions on what is the best. use what you like the best. look at other peoples tanks and see what you like. If you are interested in Metal Halides i have a LINK that can get you started for a cost much cheaper than you LFS can provide for you. option720@yahoo.com, if you have any other questions feel free to ask me or want the link.

 

[johnnysalt]

That's the exact diy setup that the previous owners of my 100g tank made....except that the gutters aren't plastic, they're metal. They look suprisingly good! my tank with diy gutter lightingthen I added dark blue backgrounddarker lighting in the room that day, sorry!Have fun Joe....you can do it!

 

[javajoe]

Johnny Salt....
Thanks! that looks really great! from the picture you cannot even tell it is homemade...
What wattage is the balast that is on that? Also, how many and what bulbs are you using?
thanks for the info....

 

[javajoe]

Thanks to all for the repies... at this point i think i am going to wait and build metal halite fixtures at a later time, but I am still hoping someone can answer the ballast question-- on that homebrew-- what wattage ballast should be used? i was at Home **** last night and am really confused now....