Well, you can get an ice cap ballast for $175.00 and about $6.00 for ends, and figure about $5.00 for wire, if you look online, you can find bulbs for about $20 to $45.00 Plus it is as simple as pie to wire the lighting. throw in a $10.00 120v fan from Radio shack, and you have a wiring system that will take exactly 20 bolts, fully replaceable, and fan cooled. Now if you want to go a cheaper route you can get a hamilton ballast for $135.00. This is a 440 watt system I am talking about, running 4 bulbs. However, you can go with two TAR ballasts, that are $75.00 each, same materials list, and get the effect I am looking for! That is two different lighting systems, so you can be more flexible. Also I called my local electrical supply store, had to call three different ones before anyone knew what a VHO light system was! Anyhow, he will get the ballast, and the ends, and wire it into the fixture for me for $175.00 total! So I am building my own hood, called the local glass company and for about $20.00 they can custom cut some strips of mirror, which I will Glue onto the inside of the hood as a reflector. Talk about total light being reflected into your TANK! If you want info on where to get the ballasts and such for cheap, or even a wiring diagram then email me, I would be more than happy to save you a $100.00
sjesus@earthlink.net
