seagoblin333
Member
What would you recommend for a lighting fixture on a 220 reef, needs to be at least HO and within a $600 spending limit. Thanks
Need lighting guidence
- Thread starter seagoblin333
- Start date
reefforbrains
Active Member
you say reef. But have you budgeted for all parts?
going with something such as a 3x250 with the 2/65 & 2/96 you can house ANYTHING in that tank but then you will run into two addittional obsticles.
#1- heat, such extreme lighting will push some heat, chiller might be needed $$$
#2- Operating costs. Most newer fixtures are rather energy efficient compared to those produced even just a few years ago. But when I mention operating costs I am referring to bulbs. Any larger MH system must be calculated such as 3 new MH bulbs, and 4 new suplemental bulbs every 6-9 month cycle. figure high end MH bulbs around 100 each, then suplemental bulbs around 20 each.
That weighs in at 380.00 in bulbs every change cycle
6 month cycle =380 so then 380.00 / 6 = 63.00 in bulbs alone per month to stay on target. If your not prepared for it, it can really leave you with a sore sphincter and feeling constantly bitten with the burden come bulb change time.
If you stretch to every 9 months thats only 42.00 per month, but thats maxing everything for longevity. If your trying to run a true reef, then nickel and diming your way through always gets in your way of enjoying your system.
If you go to T5 lighting with individual reflectors and all the trimmings, then you will extend that bulb life to almost double the above numbers but your "reef" may be limited by the bulbs ability to perform at your systems desired level of wow factor depending largely on your tanks design, shape and inhabitants.
Chicken or the egg? MH or T5? I am not trying to spark a hijack into that sort of debate as there are success stories with both.
Everyone gives different answers and there are ALWAYS deals out there but trying to tell yourself that your will price shop and hunt down the deals to make it more affordable really is just fooling yourself when looking at the long term responsibility of consistancy of the desired level of WOW your going for.
No urinating contests here, I will say it loud.....I dont care what your income level, I ALWAYS feel ripped off spending 500 on friggin lightbulbs for what is supposed to be a "hobby". To achive what your seeing in your minds eye and maintianing it, thats what you have to do.
[hr]
short version....my vote for what its worth?
Grab a triple 150 or 250 (250 preferred) used along with a used chiller. You should be ready to really rock ANY reef in that tank and stay under budget if you go with used equipment.
Then start a bulb change cycle replacing one at a time on an even spaced cycle that lets you grow into your system while not feeling any harsh stings beyond initial purchase as long as you have full knowledge of what your want out of your tank long term and then gear accordingly.
dont waste your hard earned money , but do spend your whole budget with intention of trying to best outfit your system LONG term not just a fancy peice of equip you cant afford to upkeep or that your system cant handle.
-RFB
going with something such as a 3x250 with the 2/65 & 2/96 you can house ANYTHING in that tank but then you will run into two addittional obsticles.
#1- heat, such extreme lighting will push some heat, chiller might be needed $$$
#2- Operating costs. Most newer fixtures are rather energy efficient compared to those produced even just a few years ago. But when I mention operating costs I am referring to bulbs. Any larger MH system must be calculated such as 3 new MH bulbs, and 4 new suplemental bulbs every 6-9 month cycle. figure high end MH bulbs around 100 each, then suplemental bulbs around 20 each.
That weighs in at 380.00 in bulbs every change cycle
6 month cycle =380 so then 380.00 / 6 = 63.00 in bulbs alone per month to stay on target. If your not prepared for it, it can really leave you with a sore sphincter and feeling constantly bitten with the burden come bulb change time.
If you stretch to every 9 months thats only 42.00 per month, but thats maxing everything for longevity. If your trying to run a true reef, then nickel and diming your way through always gets in your way of enjoying your system.
If you go to T5 lighting with individual reflectors and all the trimmings, then you will extend that bulb life to almost double the above numbers but your "reef" may be limited by the bulbs ability to perform at your systems desired level of wow factor depending largely on your tanks design, shape and inhabitants.
Chicken or the egg? MH or T5? I am not trying to spark a hijack into that sort of debate as there are success stories with both.
Everyone gives different answers and there are ALWAYS deals out there but trying to tell yourself that your will price shop and hunt down the deals to make it more affordable really is just fooling yourself when looking at the long term responsibility of consistancy of the desired level of WOW your going for.
No urinating contests here, I will say it loud.....I dont care what your income level, I ALWAYS feel ripped off spending 500 on friggin lightbulbs for what is supposed to be a "hobby". To achive what your seeing in your minds eye and maintianing it, thats what you have to do.
[hr]
short version....my vote for what its worth?
Grab a triple 150 or 250 (250 preferred) used along with a used chiller. You should be ready to really rock ANY reef in that tank and stay under budget if you go with used equipment.
Then start a bulb change cycle replacing one at a time on an even spaced cycle that lets you grow into your system while not feeling any harsh stings beyond initial purchase as long as you have full knowledge of what your want out of your tank long term and then gear accordingly.
dont waste your hard earned money , but do spend your whole budget with intention of trying to best outfit your system LONG term not just a fancy peice of equip you cant afford to upkeep or that your system cant handle.
-RFB
reefforbrains
Active Member
Sorry so long winded. Good luck with whatever you choose.
seagoblin333
Member
Thank you for your suggestions RFB. I have decided to go with T-5 lighting now and have the necessary money to meet all your requierments from above. The only problem I have now is choosing. I have been looking at a Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 12X39 Watt, 72 inch for about $600 even. Does anybody have any other suggestions?
seagoblin333
Member
Originally Posted by moprint
http:///forum/post/2523915
For your price range that is the best buy. There are a couple of 72" Outer Orbit 3x150w hqi 8x39w t5ho fixtures on
[hr]
. They are being sold buy Current and are factory reconditioned. The bidding starts at $379 with 90 shipping.
Thank you I will look further into it
http:///forum/post/2523915
For your price range that is the best buy. There are a couple of 72" Outer Orbit 3x150w hqi 8x39w t5ho fixtures on
[hr]
. They are being sold buy Current and are factory reconditioned. The bidding starts at $379 with 90 shipping.
Thank you I will look further into it
seagoblin333
Member
Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/2524929
isnt the 120 only 48"?
Get a 2x250 halide/T5 fixture
OOOOPS
http:///forum/post/2524929
isnt the 120 only 48"?
Get a 2x250 halide/T5 fixture
OOOOPS
seagoblin333
Member
This lighting fixture is for a 220
candmreef
Member
Originally Posted by Seagoblin333
http:///forum/post/2522128
What would you recommend for a lighting fixture on a 220 reef, needs to be at least HO and within a $600 spending limit. Thanks
I'm not an expert but you said you were going with the 12x39 watt fixture, thats not enough watts for a 220. That's not even 3 watts per gallon, which would be 660 watts. That fixture is 468 watts. This is a DIY forum, why not build 4 110watt VHO's on an ice cap 660 ballast and two 250/400 watt metal halides? I can e-mail you the plans for the reflectors for the halides or I know someone who builds them for cheap. Do you have a hood? If so, then this would be so easy. So you could get close to 1000 watts for your budget.
Icecap 660 ballast anywhere from $125-$175
endcaps X4 $40
reflectors (if you make them) $10
Moguls $10 to $20
dual MH ballast $220
Bulbs (that ice cap will run anything and overdrive even lower wattage)
$80 for vho's
$175 to $200 MH
If I was building it, it would cost about $650.
Just a rough estimate and my 2 cents. Do lots of research and reefforbrains makes excellent points to consider.
http://www.icecapinc.com/www.icecapinc.com_rev3.htm.pdf
Very good report!!
http:///forum/post/2522128
What would you recommend for a lighting fixture on a 220 reef, needs to be at least HO and within a $600 spending limit. Thanks
I'm not an expert but you said you were going with the 12x39 watt fixture, thats not enough watts for a 220. That's not even 3 watts per gallon, which would be 660 watts. That fixture is 468 watts. This is a DIY forum, why not build 4 110watt VHO's on an ice cap 660 ballast and two 250/400 watt metal halides? I can e-mail you the plans for the reflectors for the halides or I know someone who builds them for cheap. Do you have a hood? If so, then this would be so easy. So you could get close to 1000 watts for your budget.
Icecap 660 ballast anywhere from $125-$175
endcaps X4 $40
reflectors (if you make them) $10
Moguls $10 to $20
dual MH ballast $220
Bulbs (that ice cap will run anything and overdrive even lower wattage)
$80 for vho's
$175 to $200 MH
If I was building it, it would cost about $650.
Just a rough estimate and my 2 cents. Do lots of research and reefforbrains makes excellent points to consider.
http://www.icecapinc.com/www.icecapinc.com_rev3.htm.pdf
Very good report!!
reefraff
Active Member
OK 220, my bad. Could have sworn that said 120.
Overdriven T5's will work but your gonna need 16 39 watt lamps, 8 rows of two lamps side by side. Better off with halide. Forget about the watts per gallon stuff. Never was a good standard. If your tank is not over 30" tall 250 watt halides will work. Gonna need 3 if it's a 72" tank. Get good reflectors, they make a world of difference. A 175 watt lamp in a good reflector will put as much or more light into the tank as a 250 with a crappy reflector. I would look at the lumenbright reflectors. Other than that T5 or VHO for supplimental lighting and your set
Overdriven T5's will work but your gonna need 16 39 watt lamps, 8 rows of two lamps side by side. Better off with halide. Forget about the watts per gallon stuff. Never was a good standard. If your tank is not over 30" tall 250 watt halides will work. Gonna need 3 if it's a 72" tank. Get good reflectors, they make a world of difference. A 175 watt lamp in a good reflector will put as much or more light into the tank as a 250 with a crappy reflector. I would look at the lumenbright reflectors. Other than that T5 or VHO for supplimental lighting and your set
seagoblin333
Member
Raff you were right and I just edited it. Thank you all for your suggestions they have been very helpful. Candmreef, I think I'm going to build one with help from my friend. It follows closely to what you have suggested so thanks again
seagoblin333
Member
Originally Posted by camanuch
http:///forum/post/2527361
if you cant find the lumenbright reflectors then try getting the tek2 reflectors if you are gonig with T5's. heard good things about these reflectors.
Thanks. I'll take that into consideration
http:///forum/post/2527361
if you cant find the lumenbright reflectors then try getting the tek2 reflectors if you are gonig with T5's. heard good things about these reflectors.
Thanks. I'll take that into consideration