DIY Lights

[chris0799]

Hi i and getting a 55g reef tank and i want to find a cheaper way to do the lights bc im only 15 and dont have to money. i will have a wooden canopy on top. if anyone can give me some advise on how to do this or some pictures or websites that would be great. and i also have another question. can i get a fixture or lights that go on the celing in a kitchen and put in there, or will the aquarium bulbs not fit in there. if not i still want to find a way.
thanks

 

[scsinet]

If you are talking about the fluorescent lights they commonly put in kitchens that take 4' tubes, no, this won't work because normal output (40w in the case of 4 foot lamps) fluorescent lamps are not powerful enough for reefs. You could retrofit a VHO ballast into such a fixture and use it, but the other problem is rust. These lights are commonly made of steel which will rust when used near saltwater.
The biggest questions are A) what is your budget and B) what are you desiring to keep? What type of coral, etc.
You may as well go ahead and tell us the maximum possible amount you want to spend because it'll likely take that much