You can use some HD lights. The double 48" NO fixture is $10. As far as the bulbs go, GE daylight ultra f40sp65 and philips x40dx make a true tri-phosphor 6500 k bulb. Although normal output 40w bulbs, They have been tested and approved for use in icecap ballast. Results of tests can be found here
http://www.icecapinc.com/famaarticle.htm
The GE bulb was slightly better than philips but my local HD only had philips. I found the color very white, not yellow as with 4500k bulbs or too blue like the 10 k bulbs. I run them with my 660 ballast and like them. they cost $2.50 each, run a little hotter, should last a year. Output 80% of $100 worth of VHO bulbs do and are putting out a spectrum high enough not to turn the tank into an algae farm or look like a blue light show.
Only with the icecap ballast can you push NO bulbs to twice the wattage and not risk a meltdown. My ballast runs cool. I run one 10 k VHO bulb and three NO 6500k bulbs and am happy with the results. I think the aquarium/plant bulbs sold at HD are too low in blue and too high in red spectrum. For rust, apply some dielectric grease(at HD) to the ends to prevent it.
(added 1/8/03) I noticed GE and philips makes a NO 48" 7500k bulb check it out
http://www.lighting.philips.com/nam/...t/p2272c.shtml
If you think doubling your efforts can compensate for lack of skill, there is no end to what you can't do.
