Going to do DIY Lighting...But What Kind?

[gio28]

i've started quite a few threads about lighting for my (future) reef tank. my PCs over my 36 bowfront that's 20" deep just aren't going to cut it. i plan on keeping every type of coral (except SPS maybe) so i definitely need to upgrade cause im done with PCs. on a 15 year olds budget so that would mean DIY.
the question is i what type of DIY is worth doing? theres T5, Metal Halide, VHO, even LED. im looking for the most effective lighting type for my setup...which is a 36 gallon tank that's 20" deep with a variety of corals. cost, PAR, and looks are all the things i can think about for the fixture i want...so for my situation which type of lighting would be best?
also...anybody who has done a DIY or knows a link to give instructions (and pictures) if you could please post that too...thanks.

 

[gio28]

...im thinking T5 cause it will produce less heat and is alot cheaper than MH put still can let me keep LPS corals...???

 

[wangotango]

There is nothing that you cannot keep under T5ho. Check out the Icecap retrofit kit. You would not need to overdrive the bulbs with an Icecap ballast (something like a Sylvania would work) since the tank is only 20" deep and you'd probably melt softies and bleach most LPS.
-Justin

 

[gio28]

cool thanks for the reply. i found a few different ballast companies and i thought i would do 3X24 watt actinic 460NM bulbs and 3X24 watt 10,000 K bulbs. i would use 2 ballasts. and is slimpaq a good t5HO bulb?
i also found endcaps with standoffs included, im going to use rain gutter(s) to house the bulbs, and the only thing i need help finding is a good but cheap reflector company.

 

[gio28]

does anybody know of how to house 6 t5 bulbs+reflectors? im not using plastic gutters anymore cause i dont have the space on top/above my tank for them. i need something that is curved so i can put more bulbs/reflectors in a smaller area. im stuck here...help please

 

[king_neptune]

People are having success with DIY LED lighting, much cheaper than manufactured. Too bad I cant link you to a competitor site, but I read a really long and detailed thread on how to DIY LED's lastnight. I looked at the pricing and you can DIY a nice LED kit for only a couple hundred bucks.

 

[gio28]

LED would be great. im looking into it...but for me it comes down to if T5 or LED is cheaper. but LED last way longer so in the long run they would be better.

 

[gio28]

does anybody know how much DIY LEDs vs DIY T5s would be in terms of cost and work to build? LEDs will save money in the long term...but seem like a pain to build. the only real work with DIY T5s is the whole ballast thingy.

 

[truebeliever71]

I would check the forums over at reefcentral. There's a couple good threads under the DIY on LED and also using Xenon (yes the ones they use in the auto industry) by liveforphysics.
I'm personally working on getting my Xenon setup together... purchased a couple kits from ---- for $55 each (one 10,000K and one 15,000K). As for the reflectors I'm thinking of getting either the sunlight tunnels (HD) or Lowes has a nice polished recess can that looks like it would be pretty reflective.

 

[king_neptune]

I don't know much about the E bay kits.
I do know that there are several on the bay that are really really Cheap...like $150 for a tube that will supposedly do the equivalent of a 250w MH, but from the forum posts Ive read...they are garbage.
However, Ive read on other forums(too bad I cant link you to it) that go in to great detail on what to buy, where to buy, and how to solder/wire it all together. I guess pm me if your interested and Ill link you to the info.
Its all over my head because Im not an electrician...but the guy seemed to know what he was talking about. Honestly i think it would be sweet if you were able to follow up on this and make a DIY build that was comprehensive enough for even me to follow.