Lighting question

[2quills]

Sparty, I think you'll find that if you take some measurements inside of your canopy and compare them to the overall measurements of 60" fixtures I believe you'll find that they most likely won't fit inside of your canopy.
 
A 48" fixture is all you need. With 2 metal halides and some suplemental T5's. Before I made the decision to build a LED fixture for my tank I was going to get a 48" fixture and my tank has essentially the same dimensions as your...just a little shorter is all. A 48" will give you all the spread you need so a 60" really isn't going to give you much more benefit. I don't think you'll find any fixtures with 3 metal halides under 60 or 72 inches.
 
Metal Halides come in different Temperatures/Kelvin ratings. The lower the kelvin rating is then the more its going to replicate real sunlight. Lower kelvin gives you better growth and higher gives you better color. Many people like to go somewhere in the middle with 12,000k or 14,000k bulbs to try and get the best of both worlds.
 

 

[sparty059]

Maaaan, you know how to make my day! The best thing I could have ever heard today was that I should get a 48 rather a 60! That's like a $100-$200 cost savings! When you come to MI I'll buy you a drink since you just saved me a ton of cash! haha
 
---I take that back... it's about the same price... maybe even more! You owe me a beer!

 

[2quills]

 

[meowzer]

 

[meowzer]

 

[meowzer]

OK....I'm getting REALLY MAD NOW.....WTH are my smileys NOT MOVING

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/379918/lighting-question/20#post_3304586
OK....I'm getting REALLY MAD NOW.....WTH are my smileys NOT MOVING
Maybe they need more drink...

 

[sparty059]

Ok, now that we are all tipsy and shloshed where can I find a 48" 2x 250w MH for FAIRLY cheap? I don't mind spending $500 but will dread (and will if need be) spending over $600. I've looked on e Bay Craigslist I'm running out of ideas.

 

[meowzer]

LOL...SPARTY...as I (FOR REAL) drink yet another margarita.....and as I am sure 2quills is having a drink too.....
 
You have one thing on your side.....and that is time.....you do not need the light for 4-6 weeks.....you do not need it tonight
 
I think if you take your time and keep looking at all the places you mentioned.....you will find one
 
ANOTHER thing is this......and I think 2quills and Acrylic.....along with Nike...can help you probably put together a retrofit (??) unit
 
me...HAHA....store bought is all I know how to do

 

[sparty059]

I like store bought but if retro looks nice and will fit in my canopy then I suppose I can do that... and not to mention it also has to be significantly less expensive than buying from a store. But yes... it is true, I do have quite some time as its about 6 weeks from the date I need it.

 

[meowzer]

I just don;t know if you could find a good set for under $500.......I also have no clue how much it costs to build one either....LOL....that's why I said to ask them guys
 
keep your eye on Craigs list.....and whatever else you have available to you
 
I think some other forums have classified sections too......

 

[flower]

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/379918/lighting-question/20#post_3304650
I like store bought but if retro looks nice and will fit in my canopy then I suppose I can do that... and not to mention it also has to be significantly less expensive than buying from a store. But yes... it is true, I do have quite some time as its about 6 weeks from the date I need it.

 
 
I purchased Hammelton retro fit 48” 2X 175w with 2X 96w actinic...it was a pain in the butt. The worst thing was that I didn’t have a glass separating the lights from the tank, they were high enough in the canopy to not cause a shock concern…First a tiny drop of RO top off water splashed and hit a brand new 1 hour old MH bulb, causing it to burst…$70.00
A year later, the dampness from the tank shorted out the lights. What a waste and it made the canopy so hard to take off and on for water changes and what not. I purchased regular MH lights to replace the retro fit. The cheap came out expensive.
 
So unless you are very handy and can create a canopy that rivals the store bought ones all sealed and perfect…pass on retro fit.
 
I like the look of the canopy..I removed the lid, and put my new light system on pulleys, they hang over the tank an the canopy gives it a finished look.
 
P.S.
 
Retro fit cost me $900.00 Coralife Elite exact same thing 2 X175w with 2 X 96w actinc cost me $495.00 NEW. Online, from the same place.

 

[sparty059]

Yeah, see I'm handy... but not HANDY. If you don't mind keep your eye open for a 48" 2x 250w MH and if you find anything in my price range then pm me. It sounds like you got a killer deal on your set.

 

[2quills]

Perhaps you could find just a cheap fixture for now for about $100. That would work fine for fish only...and save up your money for about 6 months, give your tank time to mature and gain a little experience keeping the fish. Then once you're ready to do coral you'll have a much better idea of what you want to do and the money saved up to do it. Just a sugguestion.
 
Not all retro fit kits are created equally, just like not all light fixture are created equally. Retro's are handy when it comes to installing lights inside of an enclosed canopy because they don't take up a lot of room. But it is definately a good idea to get moisture proof end caps and install a splash guard, like an acrylic shield to protect the lights from water. As well has having a fan or two with some vents to pull out the moisture from the canopy. It's also a good idea to do this even if you have a plug and play system in there, over time moisture will still have it's effects even on the plug and plays. Spending the money on quality lights whether it be a plug and play or retro is key to the longevity of your set up.
 
I'll keep my eyes peeled, Sparty. But when it comes down to it, if you want the aility to have a diverse coral reef system in the future then I'd probably plan on spending a minimum of $800+ for lights for a half way descent set up brand new with warranty.

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/379918/lighting-question/20#post_3304664
 
But when it comes down to it, if you want the aility to have a diverse coral reef system in the future then I'd probably plan on spending a minimum of $800+ for lights for a half way descent set up brand new with warranty.
+1

 

[sparty059]

Ok. Well as you already know I have the fluorescent lighting right now so I can just use that for now. Thats another good point for tank mature... many of the corals id like to get will be more for the mature tanks. I'll stick with what I have right now unless I find a great deal out there. Thanks for helping keep my head on my shoulders.

 

[2quills]

That's a good idea man, don't rush it...keep looking and you'll come across a good deal for the right fixture sooner or later. The lights that you have now are fine for fish.

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/379918/lighting-question/20#post_3304672
That's a good idea man, don't rush it...keep looking and you'll come across a good deal for the right fixture sooner or later. The lights that you have now are fine for fish.
+1

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/379918/lighting-question/20#post_3304664
Perhaps you could find just a cheap fixture for now for about $100. That would work fine for fish only...and save up your money for about 6 months, give your tank time to mature and gain a little experience keeping the fish. Then once you're ready to do coral you'll have a much better idea of what you want to do and the money saved up to do it. Just a sugguestion.
 
Not all retro fit kits are created equally, just like not all light fixture are created equally. Retro's are handy when it comes to installing lights inside of an enclosed canopy because they don't take up a lot of room. But it is definately a good idea to get moisture proof end caps and install a splash guard, like an acrylic shield to protect the lights from water. As well has having a fan or two with some vents to pull out the moisture from the canopy. It's also a good idea to do this even if you have a plug and play system in there, over time moisture will still have it's effects even on the plug and plays. Spending the money on quality lights whether it be a plug and play or retro is key to the longevity of your set up.
 
I'll keep my eyes peeled, Sparty. But when it comes down to it, if you want the aility to have a diverse coral reef system in the future then I'd probably plan on spending a minimum of $800+ for lights for a half way descent set up brand new with warranty.
You could be in the ball park if you do enough looking....Meaning search out IceCap 250W MH ballasts....brand new you can find them around $120.00 x 2. Then for reflectors, which I wouldn't skimp, you should check out the LumenBright Wides....there is where you'll tie up a little cash. You won't find a much better reflector out there right now, so at this point your a little over $500.00. Lowes or Home Depot for some wiring or if you don't want the task you can buy prebuilt harnesses, but either way you'll have to do a little modding, and the only thing left really would be your bulbs. Supplemental you have tons of choices from T5's to standard VHO's to supplementing with LEDs.....Either way you could put yourself a top of the line rig easily for $800.00. The key is smart shopping and to know what to look for....Check over on the other big forum you'll find alot of lighting stuff being sold at decent prices.....Actually you could do a very nice T5 setup instead of MH's of you choose to go that route as well.....
 

 

[sparty059]

I thought T5's don't really project anything more than 54w... that's why I would have to stick with MH...?