Please HELP with lighting

susan

susan

Member
I'm sooo confused! I'm looking at getting a 100-125 gal reef tank and want lighting that will be suitable for most corals, etc without getting into the expense of chillers, etc... I want the best lighting with the least mo electricity expense. This is what I looked up. It doesn't compare lighting quality though. Can anyone poll these to compare them or at least tell me which one they would recomend? THANK YOU!
Name Initial Cost Electric/Year* Replacements Yearly Cost Elec/Month Comments
NO 4/2
$295.91 $198.68 $151.88 $350.56 $16.56
4 Daylight and 2 Normal Output Actinics
VHO 4/2 $464.91 $507.73 $263.88 $771.61 $42.31 4 VHO Daylight and 2 NO Actinics
VHO 2/2 $382.94 $441.50 $199.92 $641.42 $36.79 2 VHO Daylight and 2 VHO Actinics
Pendant+FL $634.97 $280.85 $183.94 $464.79 $23.40 2 MH Pendants with 2 NO Actinics
MH Retro $550.98 $280.85 $183.94 $464.79 $23.40 MH Retro Fit kit from Corlife
MH-DIY $456.95 $280.85 $183.94 $464.79 $23.40 Complete MH DIY
Pendant $498.00 $214.62 $119.98 $334.60 $17.89 Two 175W MH Pendants
MH DIYish $510.97 $280.85 $183.94 $464.79 $23.40 2 Lamp MH Spot with Actinics Added
VHO-Tar $308.94 $441.50 $199.92 $641.42 $36.79 Tar VHO Ballasts
Full MH Hood $630.98 $280.85 $183.94 $464.79 $23.40 Commerical MH Hood (Coralife)
Full FL Hood $380.98 $132.45 $107.92 $240.37 $11.04 Commerical FL Hood (Coralife)
 
underthesea

underthesea

Member
If you want to go with a 125 gallon tank and you want to do clams and stony corals you could go with a pc light strip with 6 96 watt bulbs and you should be good to go. Or go with three mh mixed with pc.. Either way you are probably going to look at a price tag of about $900 - $1000. As for electrical price a month. That is the price you are going to have to pay for having an aquarium let alon an aquarium with corals and wanting the right gear.
 
dmaister

dmaister

New Member
has anyone heard of <a href src="http://www.jbjlighting.com">JBJ lighting</a>? My LFS has a 36" Formosa - total 192 watts for around $280. I'm not sure whether it is VHO, PC, or NO. Any comments on this brand or other "complete hood" brands?
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
Your BEST bet on this tank WILL be three 175 MH with VHO blues..Or better yet,go with three 250 watt MH...The MH is the only way to get enough light over a tank that size to keep clams...Plus the VHO will suppliment the blue spectrum...If you have to,the VHO can be substituted with regular output flourescents,but not nearly as good...Here's a good place to get your MH from..The cheapest on the net. <a href="http://www,aquaticlight.com./" target="_blank">http://www,aquaticlight.com./</A>
 
C

cruises8

Guest
Just trying to help out Mr. Salty with the link!!!
<a href="http://www.aquaticlight.com./" target="_blank">http://www.aquaticlight.com./</a>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top