Club frag tank needs lighting

[luvabunny]

Lauren has recently taken over the club frag tank. When doing so she was told it needed new bulbs. After having the tank for awhile now, she has become aware of some electrical / fixture issues, plus in the small room where it is located, it is becoming extremely hot, even in winter.

Tonya and I have discussed simply replacing the entire fixture. We both feel that a T5 set up will properly light this tank and be much cooler, however we are open to suggestions or other options.

Since this is the club frag tank, we are looking for anyone in the club who may have a fixture or lighting to donate or sell for it. Replacing bulbs is not a problem if we can get the fixture free, or for a good price.

The tank is a 3 x 3 square and the fixture must be hangable or hanging adaptable. Please PM Tonya or I if you have something to offer.

 

[lauremf2002]

Its actually 36" x 24"

 

[SuperNoob]

What's wrong with the fixture? Wouldn't this be something club dues would cover?

 

[lauremf2002]

Lights are very expensive and we would like to buy other things with the club money, like coral to give out to members!

 

[Lytehouse]

What's wrong with the fixture? Wouldn't this be something club dues would cover?

2 issues:

1) the metal halide fixture is heating up her home:

2) it has serious wiring challenges. I kept it patched together the 2 years I had the tank.

 

[SuperNoob]

Lights are very expensive and we would like to buy other things with the club money, like coral to give out to members!

I would think that protecting the investment of both time and money would come befor making further investment, does that make sence to anyone else? lets take care of what we ALREADY have before we worry about getting something new.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...t_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

this would be WAY more than what is needed and I think the cost would be more than tolerable. espically consitering Lynn patching the last fixture together for the last 2 years.

 

[lauremf2002]

We are going to be getting lights no matter what. The purpose of this thread is to see if anyone had a suitable fixture before we dropped $350 of our members money on a brand new one, when a nearly new one would work just as well. I just think it would be nice if we saved money if possible to buy corals for fragging demos or possibly to pay for interesting speakers. I wasnt suggesting we buy anything before this is resolved. You dont have to worry about the well being of the frag tank, of course we are taking care of it! This was also to get feed back on what members think should be used over the tank since, technically, it belongs to all of you. Your link is pretty much what I had in mind, although I think 4 would be sufficient due to the shallowness of the tank.

 

[lauremf2002]

double post sorry

 

[BrianOKC]

Ok not to derail the thread but 6x39w is 234w assuming the tank could be lit up by a single 250 MH in a lumenarc reflector or something similar. Why is T5 the best option for this size of a tank? Adding a 234w fixture to replace a 250w metal halide is not going to make the room any cooler , your just spreading the heat out over a 3 ft bulb surface area instead of an 8-10 inch metal halide surface. The yearly cost to replace T5 bulb's are going to be higher also. Just something to think about

 

[madkat]

I vote we build a DIY t-5, this can be done very inexpensively and we are not concerned with looks, only performance.

 

[lauremf2002]

Ok not to derail the thread but 6x39w is 234w assuming the tank could be lit up by a single 250 MH in a lumenarc reflector or something similar. Why is T5 the best option for this size of a tank? Adding a 234w fixture to replace a 250w metal halide is not going to make the room any cooler , your just spreading the heat out over a 3 ft bulb surface area instead of an 8-10 inch metal halide surface. The yearly cost to replace T5 bulb's are going to be higher also. Just something to think about

you are not derailing the thread at all! That is what its here for. These sound like really valid points

 

[MarlinDreams]

I vote we build a DIY t-5, this can be done very inexpensively and we are not concerned with looks, only performance.

Looks like an interesting topic for a future meeting. I am about as electrically challenged a it comes.

I vote for whatever is best for the tank as I am looking forward to some of the frag meetings a well.

Regards,
JTC

 

[*reefermadness*]

I also like the idea of doing a DIY T5 fixture. Just purchase a 4 bulb, 36 inch retro kit from reef geek and build a frame for it. We could then turn the building of said retro kit into a meeting topic. It would allow members who have never done a retro build to learn how it works, and for those that have to share the valuable knowledge that comes along with doing a project like this. Just an idea. Also, the reason I say a 4 bulb kit is because we could space the bulbs out enough to provide adequate coverage over the entire tank; it was also be less expsenive to run the 4 bulb than it would a 6 buld. Just an idea.

 

[Steventnguyen]

Get a DIY led fixture...less heat..don't have to replace bulb so often..very affordable.

 

[SuperNoob]

you are not derailing the thread at all! That is what its here for. These sound like really valid points

I agree completely

I also like the idea of doing a DIY T5 fixture. Just purchase a 4 bulb, 36 inch retro kit from reef geek and build a frame for it. We could then turn the building of said retro kit into a meeting topic. It would allow members who have never done a retro build to learn how it works, and for those that have to share the valuable knowledge that comes along with doing a project like this. Just an idea. Also, the reason I say a 4 bulb kit is because we could space the bulbs out enough to provide adequate coverage over the entire tank; it was also be less expsenive to run the 4 bulb than it would a 6 buld. Just an idea.

The problem is that by time you gather everything the cost will be close to the same as buying a factory fixture.

Get a DIY led fixture...less heat..don't have to replace bulb so often..very affordable.

This would be an interesting option but again cost would be an issue.

 

[madkat]

Supernoob,
You are mistaken on the price. I have a 8 lamp t-5 that I built myself. I used 16 icecap tombstones, 3 workhorse 7 ballasts and ATI bulbs and I spent $250.00 on the entire 6' light.

Myself or Chris would be willing to. We could very easily build this in a DIY Demo. Sorry Chris I nominated you to help.

 

[cjilge]

No problem, Its easy and Ghellin is my lighting go to guy! lol Sorry Ghellin I nominated you! lol

 

[Lightsluvr]

I vote we build a DIY t-5, this can be done very inexpensively and we are not concerned with looks, only performance.

You mean like this?

LL

 

[madkat]

Little overdone, But that would be easy to make, and make it cheap.

 

[OKCchief]

I agree completely

The problem is that by time you gather everything the cost will be close to the same as buying a factory fixture.

This would be an interesting option but again cost would be an issue.

While the initial cost of a DIY LED would be substantially more, over the long haul (2-3 years)the investment would save money. Heat, bulb changes, and the electricity to run them make a it a wise choice. I have parts left over from my build that will reduce the cost.

With that said, maybe we should get some quotes on different builds, and put it to a vote. Democracy in action! :beer:

James D