lighting? need info about ballasts-Krusk

[wonderfulinwyo]

I want to change my single strip lighting hood into a double strip for more even lighting. Krusk U seem to know alot about lighting and the prices,could u send me the place where U got these prices? Is a retrofit ballasts the way i want to go? I'm going to go with the four 55 watt bulbs. plz let me know I'm just all confused about it all.
wonderfulinwyo@yahoo.com <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[krusk]

4x55 W
It's look like you want to get PC for your tank.
your tank size is 55 G. As you stated earlier you would like to have a double strip light.
4x55 Watts PC is difficult to place into a double strip light fixture.
On the other hand, 2x48" floresense bulbs would fit nicely.
Is the custom canopy an option?
If so, I can show you a place to get ballast, bulbs and reflector.
If you are prefered to a fixture that can placed on top of the tank @ the lowest cost as posible.
You can get a double light fixture at HD, Lowes or Menard (48" long). It does not look very professional but it does the job.
I'm alway prefered VHO over PC. It's just me. Lot's of ppl will disagree, it's just a personal opinion.
let me know what do you want to do, I will help you along the way as much as I can.

 

[wonderfulinwyo]

Thanks for replying Krusk. I have a 55 gal tank. I want to take out my old lights and put 2 lights in each canopy. It sits on top of my tank. It only has 1 strip light in it now. I need more lighting. Will getting a retro fit kit do it or can i just buy the ballast light with the end on them? Hope you can figure all this out. thanks
Linda

 

[krusk]

wow, you're fast. I had just re-read your profile, and notice that you have a 55 G.
Right now, I'm pretty sure you have 1x40 Watts strip light fixture. This fixture can not house 2 or more bulbs. You either need to get a larger fixture which allow you house 2 bulbs or build a custom wood canopy to house the bulbs.
I should ask, what do you like to keep? fish only tank? or some coral

 

[wonderfulinwyo]

I'm going to take everything out of my canopy I have now and put in a ballast-two lamp kit. Each bulb being 55 watts. one fluorescent and one the marine kind. The way i have it now I have to keep switching them back and forth.I've looked every where for double canopies with double lights in them and can't find them anywhere. So I guess I'll just go this way. Any better ideas let me know. thanks again. <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />