Lights Lights Lights What Do I Do???

smooth_9

smooth_9

Member
Hello I am somewhat confused confused about lighting. I have been doing some reading on lights, and everyone thinks diffrently. I am thinking about building my own light system using a Ice Cap 430 ballast and 3- 4ft fluorescent tubes. I have a new set-up just finished cycling. I plan to have fish, live rock, and soft corals. What made me realize that I needed more lighting is when I was @ the LFS inquiring about live rock and the salesman asked what type of lighting do I have presently (2-15w fluorescent tubes on a 55G ). He told me that if I buy live rock the rock will not do good in that lighting not to mention the soft corals. I came home got on the net and found that lighting is a big Bomb waiting for you. I expected to spend some money on my newly aquired hobby, but $500.00 for some light bulbs there has to be a better way (I have a backgound in electronics) that is what I think about lights.
Please Help>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
-Has anyone ever used the Ice Cap 430 ballast Ballast?
-What is a sutable enclosuer to use?
-Any info on building lights
-any info on where to buy lights @ a reasonable price
 
fishead

fishead

Member
the cheapest wat to adiquet lighting on a 55 is 2 4foot double normal output 40 watt fixtures from lowes. about $20 ea. Put in 2 actinic blues an actinic white and a 50/50. tubes are about $22 ea. this will give you 160 watts of light in a good spectum. Under$130.
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
If you are confident that a combination of VHO lamps is what you want...and you want to build a lighting system that is less expensive but in my humble opinion just as effective as the Icecap then look at purchasing 1 or 2 LN electronic retro fit systems. I run one on my reef along with 4x65 watts of 10k PC's...the VHO's I run are URI super actinics...the ballast and fixtures run about$129 for a 2 lamp system......they've worked real well for me...and a bit less expensive than the Icecap.
No matter which option you pick...lighting can be expensive but adaquate lighting for the corals you want to keep is not something to skimp on. Continue your research and pick a lighting system you can live with for a while and try to avoid a situation where you'll be up-grading to bigger/better lighting later. Spend the funds now and you'll save in the long term. If you want additional info on the LN electronics retro fits...e-mail me and I'll point you to the source I use for them.
bdjr@3lefties.com
 
josh

josh

Active Member
Hi,
It sounds like you decided to go with VHO, which is a fine choice for soft corals. Just a $$ saving tip. Get URI bulbs, they have built in reflectors so you can skip that part of the retro. Good luck and keep us updated!
Josh
 
smooth_9

smooth_9

Member
well I have my lights I have 4-40 watt tubes two are regular
aquarium bulbs and the other are Coralife 50/50 and the other is coralife 10.000k. I purchased two shop light fixtures, which hold
two tubes a peice.
 
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