Dream lighting (On a budget)
- Thread starter Aynesa
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Aynesa
New member
Bonus then 
Halides have alot of drawbacks that T5s simply don't have. Heat being the major one for me, the ability to mount under a canopy a second. Sounds like I'm on the right track. 8 ball, any parting thoughts?
I seriously doubt I'm upgrading anytime in the future. 120 is about the biggest my house can support, I don't have more wallspace to move it, and those 20% waterchanges are just killer for me as it is. I had a really tall tank, which was nice to look at, but then when you had to get inside, I needed a stepladder and still put my arm and a good chunk of my shoulder inside. A couple of times I had to hold my breath and go 'all in' if you know what I mean. The whole time worried that the ladder will tip or one of the kids will knock me
I think I'll be much happier with this shallower tank that I can reach the bottom of while standing on the nice, stable floor.
No, I don't see myself changing tanks anytime in the near future. When we move and leave this house (3 years or so).... MAYBE. Possibly then. But I doubt it.
Halides have alot of drawbacks that T5s simply don't have. Heat being the major one for me, the ability to mount under a canopy a second. Sounds like I'm on the right track. 8 ball, any parting thoughts? I seriously doubt I'm upgrading anytime in the future. 120 is about the biggest my house can support, I don't have more wallspace to move it, and those 20% waterchanges are just killer for me as it is. I had a really tall tank, which was nice to look at, but then when you had to get inside, I needed a stepladder and still put my arm and a good chunk of my shoulder inside. A couple of times I had to hold my breath and go 'all in' if you know what I mean. The whole time worried that the ladder will tip or one of the kids will knock me
I think I'll be much happier with this shallower tank that I can reach the bottom of while standing on the nice, stable floor.
No, I don't see myself changing tanks anytime in the near future. When we move and leave this house (3 years or so).... MAYBE. Possibly then. But I doubt it.
8BALL_99
New member
Missing a couple of things
One If you use electronic ballast Mh "icecap pendant or retro" The ballasts don't buzz. They are very quiet..
Second.. I have a canopy and 2 pendants.. So you can use a pendant very easily with a canopy. Light spill is NP at all as long as you place your pendants the right height.. Same goes for Mh Retro kits.. Raise them up the wider the coverage.. Lower them down the more focused the light is.
But over all your right.. The T5s will put less heat Into the water, But they still will heat the room.. Watts are watts.. 250watts of T5s put out the same heat as 250watts of MH.. Also though you could probably get by with a little less wattage then 500 watts. So if you did go with say 6x54 T5s Your only talking 324 watts. So in that case you would you less power and have less heat both in the room and in the tank. But Your talking 150$ for replacement bulbs. Not bad compared to the 130ish for MH.. If you went to 8x54 though thats 200 bucks and the 70 bucks difference and the added 108 watts would really cut into the very little cost savings. HTH
One If you use electronic ballast Mh "icecap pendant or retro" The ballasts don't buzz. They are very quiet..
Second.. I have a canopy and 2 pendants.. So you can use a pendant very easily with a canopy. Light spill is NP at all as long as you place your pendants the right height.. Same goes for Mh Retro kits.. Raise them up the wider the coverage.. Lower them down the more focused the light is.
But over all your right.. The T5s will put less heat Into the water, But they still will heat the room.. Watts are watts.. 250watts of T5s put out the same heat as 250watts of MH.. Also though you could probably get by with a little less wattage then 500 watts. So if you did go with say 6x54 T5s Your only talking 324 watts. So in that case you would you less power and have less heat both in the room and in the tank. But Your talking 150$ for replacement bulbs. Not bad compared to the 130ish for MH.. If you went to 8x54 though thats 200 bucks and the 70 bucks difference and the added 108 watts would really cut into the very little cost savings. HTH
catman78
New member
With 6 T-5's run on two IceCap 660's, you will be able to keep SPS in a 120.
74 watts X 6 = 444 watts
Not going to be cheap when you add it up.
DIYReef or ReefGeek for parts.
Reflectors, Bulbs, End Caps, etc...
BTW, add the cost of building your own hood along with a plenty of cooling for bulbs.
74 watts X 6 = 444 watts
Not going to be cheap when you add it up.
DIYReef or ReefGeek for parts.
Reflectors, Bulbs, End Caps, etc...
BTW, add the cost of building your own hood along with a plenty of cooling for bulbs.
8BALL_99
New member
LPS with 20" tall tank I would think 6x54T5s would be NP.. Probably even 4x54 would be fine depending on your bulbs. I'm not an expert on it.. But from my understanding the overdriven T5s last just as long as the high output setups if you keep the bulbs cool. If thats true! (?) Then for 360 you can get 4x48"VHOT5 Retro that would give you 4x80watts. So thats 320 watts and only 4 bulbs a year to change.. Worse case you add another 2 bulbs if its not enough for what you want.. Again though I have no idea what so ever if the overdriven bulbs last a full year like normal driven HO bulbs. I've got a Icecap 660 ballast but I dont' use it cause I don't really need to over drive my bulbs..
carlso63
Reefkeeping since 1977
You absolutely can find (2) 250 lights used for under $300... I have (3) Aquamedic 250HQI pendants that I bought used for $125 each, including the ballasts and 3 month old Pheonix bulbs.
Search a local aquarium club. You'll get a better deal there than the "used" Forum here as, IMO, most people here overcharge for their used stuff (plus you also have shipping) vs. a local club...
When I was looking for my lights there were 2 ads here on RC for Aquamedic 250 pendants. One guy wanted $225 for his, the other $240...plus shipping. And neither came with bulbs. These things are only $325 brand new - and brand new they come with bulbs...
Logzor
New member
Renee,
If you want an "all in one fixture" just get an aquaactinics constellation or solar flare. Many have suggested DIY and retros but I dont think this is what you are looking for. I understand the appeal to an all in one fixture, no hassles.
I know the aquaactinics range from 700 to 1000 dollars but realistically you MUST spend this much if you want a fixture to last 5 years.
I bought a tek light and partially due to my own fault the reflectors are getting tarnished and some of the "powder coated" fixture is rusting. This is after less than one year.
In this hobby you really get what you pay for, you will find that after 5 years, if you have not saved up for a high quality fixture, you will have ended up paying the equivalent in replacements/repairs/general problems and stress in lower quality products. Save up for something decent and you will thank me 5 years from now!
If you want an "all in one fixture" just get an aquaactinics constellation or solar flare. Many have suggested DIY and retros but I dont think this is what you are looking for. I understand the appeal to an all in one fixture, no hassles.
I know the aquaactinics range from 700 to 1000 dollars but realistically you MUST spend this much if you want a fixture to last 5 years.
I bought a tek light and partially due to my own fault the reflectors are getting tarnished and some of the "powder coated" fixture is rusting. This is after less than one year.
In this hobby you really get what you pay for, you will find that after 5 years, if you have not saved up for a high quality fixture, you will have ended up paying the equivalent in replacements/repairs/general problems and stress in lower quality products. Save up for something decent and you will thank me 5 years from now!
8BALL_99
New member
But Logzor the deal is he is thinking about a canopy.. So a single fixture is not a good choice.. If he bought a 48" single fixture he would not be able to have a canopy later.. Most fixtures fit the tank exaclty or very close.. Trying to mound one in a canopy could be a PITA. I just know Cause I've tried.. My first fixture was one peice.. I hated the light spill so I built a canopy.. I ended up having to take every thing out of the fixture and just mounting it to the canopy.. A retro would have been much smarter choice. Mind you this was in 2003 lol So they may make them shorter now.. Not from what I've seen though.
carlso63 I agree with you 100% A lot of people on here are CRAZY when it comes to prices.. I see Vortechs posted for 360-370 plus shipping I paid 380 for mine BRAND new with free shipping.. Just took a 10% off coupon and free shipping promo on all orders over 100 . Several online venders send coupon codes out all the time in their mailing list. You can find good deals on here though from time to time. You got a Fantastic deal on your pendants. He will have a tough time finding something that cheap IMO. Not saying he can't.
carlso63 I agree with you 100% A lot of people on here are CRAZY when it comes to prices.. I see Vortechs posted for 360-370 plus shipping I paid 380 for mine BRAND new with free shipping.. Just took a 10% off coupon and free shipping promo on all orders over 100 . Several online venders send coupon codes out all the time in their mailing list. You can find good deals on here though from time to time. You got a Fantastic deal on your pendants. He will have a tough time finding something that cheap IMO. Not saying he can't.
Von_Rahvin
New member
luminarc reflectors 2 @ 100
2x400watt MH ballast 1@50
Cap for Ballast 1@15
400 bulb 2@ 65 shipped
total cost : $395 for 800watt's that will light ANYTHING you want.
you get bored, you can DIY the reflectors and save 170 bucks. then you would be at $225 that's about as cost effective as you can get.
2x400watt MH ballast 1@50
Cap for Ballast 1@15
400 bulb 2@ 65 shipped
total cost : $395 for 800watt's that will light ANYTHING you want.
you get bored, you can DIY the reflectors and save 170 bucks. then you would be at $225 that's about as cost effective as you can get.
Von_Rahvin
New member
i just shopped online. I picked up a couple at the time. eventually they will all get used. the goal was to get a good enough lighting setup on a budget. the above will work pretty darn good. heck you can even passively cool those bad boys, i did that down here in fl, kept the tank at 80-81 with just fans.
as for the electric, shrug. MH are still more bang than t5's. MH look the best and the corals grow the best. Wanna save electric, go the solo tube route. now that's a darn cool idea. but no one said a big tank is gonna be cheap to run if you want to do it correctly.
as for the electric, shrug. MH are still more bang than t5's. MH look the best and the corals grow the best. Wanna save electric, go the solo tube route. now that's a darn cool idea. but no one said a big tank is gonna be cheap to run if you want to do it correctly.
Aynesa
New member
Actually I knew someone who *did* tell me that. It's what convinced me to set up a marine tank to begin with. He showed me his tank and bragged about how it cost only barely more than Freshwater.
Lying *grumbles grumbles*
He had coral too.
Seriously, I love this hobby, don't get me wrong, but because of him, I went into it without realizing what I was getting into. He downplayed EVERYTHING in the cost of owning a marine tank. Either downplayed it, or honestly didn't realize how much he'd spent. I've put thousands in my tank now, and ya know what, I'm half glad he did convince me of that. I honestly love the hobby and love the tank. But, if I'd realized how much I'd spend on it, I probably would still have cichlids.
So, yes, I do want to put 1000 in a light fixture, and if I had the money I would, but I don't have the money, so I really can't. I do love the hobby now, but probably would never have gotten into it if I'd been told "You won't spend much more on this than a freshwater setup, and look how much prettier the fish are!"
Lying *grumbles grumbles*
He had coral too.
Seriously, I love this hobby, don't get me wrong, but because of him, I went into it without realizing what I was getting into. He downplayed EVERYTHING in the cost of owning a marine tank. Either downplayed it, or honestly didn't realize how much he'd spent. I've put thousands in my tank now, and ya know what, I'm half glad he did convince me of that. I honestly love the hobby and love the tank. But, if I'd realized how much I'd spend on it, I probably would still have cichlids.
So, yes, I do want to put 1000 in a light fixture, and if I had the money I would, but I don't have the money, so I really can't. I do love the hobby now, but probably would never have gotten into it if I'd been told "You won't spend much more on this than a freshwater setup, and look how much prettier the fish are!"
8BALL_99
New member
Its $$ yes but its really not that bad. You can keep costs down to a reasonable amount. Sure if you buy High end equipment ect it gets pretty up there.. I look at it this way if I went out and bought a bass boat and went to the river every other weekend I'd spend way more then I do on this hobby. Sure you might spend 3-5000 bucks setting up a tank but what if you went out and bought a 21000 dollar harley.. and had to pay for full coverage insurance every month. Toys are toys and hobbies are hobbies.. If your smart and buy good equipment that you won't need to replace a year later or even if you do your able to sell to offset the cost of something its not that bad.. I focus more on power usage now then I did. IMO thats probably the biggest blow with Reefing.
Aynesa, For what you want to do I really think either a 4x48" VHOT5 retro would probably be your cheapest upfront and long term. But I think 2x250Mh on Electronic ballasts with 14K bulbs wouldn't me much more at all cost wise and would probably look better,,, to me anyway.. Either way your talking 400-600 bucks new. Maybe half that used. Another thing to consider. IF cost is such a huge issue you might want to just save for the New Equipment. Atleast the ballast, That way you have a factory warranty and you should get at least a few years of use out of your purchase. Nothing wrong with used, Just keep in mind you spend 60 bucks on a used ballast thats 3 years old and it goes out a week later then your only option is to buy another one.. Buy a new one and it goes out you just return or send it to the factory for replacement.. Sets you back 12 bucks shipping vs 115 bucks to replace it in a hurry
Aynesa, For what you want to do I really think either a 4x48" VHOT5 retro would probably be your cheapest upfront and long term. But I think 2x250Mh on Electronic ballasts with 14K bulbs wouldn't me much more at all cost wise and would probably look better,,, to me anyway.. Either way your talking 400-600 bucks new. Maybe half that used. Another thing to consider. IF cost is such a huge issue you might want to just save for the New Equipment. Atleast the ballast, That way you have a factory warranty and you should get at least a few years of use out of your purchase. Nothing wrong with used, Just keep in mind you spend 60 bucks on a used ballast thats 3 years old and it goes out a week later then your only option is to buy another one.. Buy a new one and it goes out you just return or send it to the factory for replacement.. Sets you back 12 bucks shipping vs 115 bucks to replace it in a hurry
spsfreak
Premium Member
Aynesa
I have a PFO HQI 400wX2 ballast that I bought a few years ago with intent on using and never did; it is basically brand new. It will work with DE HQI bulbs, and some single ended european bulbs. I also have 3 400w MH SE bulbs (2 X 10k, 1 X 20k) and they all work with the ballast. I'll sell you the ballast and bulbs for $175.00 plus shipping. Only thing else you would have to buy is the reflectors, moguls, and cords for the mogul. Again this is a deal, however, you would still face a cost increase in electrical.
Just thought I would offer, not to wreck your post or try to sell something in a non selling thread - just trying to help.
Ballast at Marine Depot: Here
Matt
I have a PFO HQI 400wX2 ballast that I bought a few years ago with intent on using and never did; it is basically brand new. It will work with DE HQI bulbs, and some single ended european bulbs. I also have 3 400w MH SE bulbs (2 X 10k, 1 X 20k) and they all work with the ballast. I'll sell you the ballast and bulbs for $175.00 plus shipping. Only thing else you would have to buy is the reflectors, moguls, and cords for the mogul. Again this is a deal, however, you would still face a cost increase in electrical.
Just thought I would offer, not to wreck your post or try to sell something in a non selling thread - just trying to help.
Ballast at Marine Depot: Here
Matt
Aynesa
New member
SPS: Thanks for the offer, but I don't even know what a 'mogul' is, or how to put these things together. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a great deal, but right now I'm totally broke from buying the new tank on short notice. If I tried to tell my husband that I found a 'great deal' on two lights, even though they ARE a great deal, he would remind me there are miles and miles of uninhabited desert around our house, and no one would ever find the body. My body. I like my body in the city. So, thanks, but no thanks. This thread is to try to design a system for me to put into practice in a month or two, not today, and I'm really not looking for another do it myself project. With an infant and toddler, time is precious and I have a bunch already.
Now that I've got the new tank put up, I've found something interesting. My 24" sunpod fits PERFECTLY over half of it and gives a great lightspread. There was some sort of glass support running across the middle of the tank that made setting up lighting really easy. What I'm thinking is just to buy another 24" sunpod when the money gets looser. I set it all up last night, and right now I have the sunpod on half, with the other half covered by my 2x65W PC hood:
<img src="http://worldofpangea.com/S7300324.JPG"> <br><br>
Yes, I know the lighting sucks right now... Thus this thread and the planning. The 24" Sunpod might be better for me now that I see it set up... This is a 150w btw, with 12 lunar lights.
This thread is to try to design a system for me to put into practice in a month or two, not today, and I'm really not looking for another do it myself project. With an infant and toddler, time is precious and I have a bunch already.Now that I've got the new tank put up, I've found something interesting. My 24" sunpod fits PERFECTLY over half of it and gives a great lightspread. There was some sort of glass support running across the middle of the tank that made setting up lighting really easy. What I'm thinking is just to buy another 24" sunpod when the money gets looser. I set it all up last night, and right now I have the sunpod on half, with the other half covered by my 2x65W PC hood:
<img src="http://worldofpangea.com/S7300324.JPG"> <br><br>
Yes, I know the lighting sucks right now... Thus this thread and the planning. The 24" Sunpod might be better for me now that I see it set up... This is a 150w btw, with 12 lunar lights.
