Saltwater lighting

[brenda61]

Recently purchased a 55 gal. tank going to Saltwater from Freshwater, need to know what lighting would be best for live reef and estimated cost...the pricing I have gotten so far is close to 500.00 would like to find at a lower cost. Any response would be very appreciated! Thanks.....brenda61

 

[mr . salty]

For a 55,you would be best off looking into VHO,or a low watt metal halite setup.A mix of the two would be best.$500 doesn't sound too bad for a compleate setup,but if you are a little handy with a drill and a screwdriver you should get the retro kits.These are a kit that contains all the components.You just have to assemble them...

 

[diatom]

Brenda~
Power Compacts wouldn't be a bad choice either.
I have and use all three VHO, PC, and MH.
What's most important is to figure out what you want to keep in the tank and light it accordingly.
A little research can save you a lot of money.

 

[brenda61]

Thank you for the suggestions. My husband is very handy so you think he could put this kit together. Do you have a site you have found on the internet that would sell these kit's at a reasonable cost? Just wondering....Thanks a bunch....B.61

 

[royce]

Brenda, My husband just finished making a canopy for my 55 that will hold 4X110W VHO lights <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" /> I got the ballast (electronic), endcaps, wiring and bulbs from hellolights.com for ~$240. My husband figures he spent ~$30 on wood for the top, using luan (sp?) plywood and 1x3's to make the frame. it didn't take him very long and all I have to do now is sand and slap on the polyurethane and then let there be light! One suggestion, if you do go with the VHO kits, get the 46.5" bulbs instead of the 48" ones, it will be much easier to fit them into the canopy. We also left the back open to help dissipate the heat. HTH