Lighting Advice

[dubaygv]

I'm debating on which way to go on lighting for my 225 tank build. I would like to go leds but the cost is prohibitive at the moment. I have 4 of these:

http://www.growerssupply.com/farm/supplies/prod1;gs1_hydroponics-gs1_grow_lights;pg109278_109279.html

They were headed to the trash when a greenhouse was being rebuilt. They're in great condition and I don't think that will need all 4, but could I just put some 14k bulbs and use them?

 

[wpecoul]

I think it is certainly worth a shot. Were you planning on having a canopy, or were you going to suspend the lighting from the ceiling? The ballast being right there with the lamp is a possible point of concern - I would try to make sure you protect as much as possible from salt spray and have really good fans going.

That reflector looks pretty good, but it also looks like it would really focus the light. You might have to play with the height to get a coverage pattern you like.

 

[dubaygv]

I may build a canopy one day when I get leds, but for now I was planning on hanging either 2 or 3 of them about 30" - 36" above the tank. The ballasts are well sealed, but with them being attached to the reflector I am worried about the heat. Hopefully if I add some fans it won't bee too much.

 

[yoda]

It looks like the reflector threads on to the pipe coming out of the ballast. Seems like you could just remove the reflectors and extend the wires coming out of the ballast that feeds the MH socket. Then you could mount the ballasts separately. I'm sure you could find a way to make those work.

 

[yoda]

The fact that they are electronic ballasts and not magnetic ballasts is nice. Electronic ballasts run quite a bit cooler.

 

[dubaygv]

I hadn't thought about that, but the reflectors do screw on and the plate that holds the socket can be removed. I will look into doing that! It certainly would take a good amount of heat away from the tank. Thanks!

 

[gflat65]

Maybe look at some Radium 20Ks for those bad boys. If I was runing 400's, I think that's what I'd do. I've seen some good results from 400W 20K Radiums.

 

[dubaygv]

Ok! I will check them out. What temp bulbs do you run on your display? I like the color combo with the mh and the vho.

 

[gflat65]

I'm running 250W DE Phoenix 14K's and the (4) 160W VHO 03's. The VHO's are killing me in terms of energy consumption and bulb replacement, though. I like the color, but am thinking of ways to replace them with LED's...