lighting

[gatorolsen]

OK, looking for easy and cheap lighting for 2 48" 55 gal tanks at Earnie's school.

Not growing anything out - tank occupants will prob. change - fish and/or macro - whatever they are studying at that time.

Nothing too intense - as I would like Earnie to spend time at home - there won't be any grow out tanks or coral projects.

Can't hang anything over tanks - and most canopies would prob. require some fans

need easy access in and out of tank - having 2 students lift a canopy on and off won't work - room is limited.

So I have been looking at DIY projects but found this online

I like the flip top access and the price is right.

wouldn't that wattage OK

what do you think?

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=313

Thanks
Gatorolsen

 

[ladyfsu]

WOW that's a heck of a price. I have bought from these people before and all was fine. Customer service is lacking quite a bit. It's true - you get what you pay for, but since this is for school, that's perfect I think.

 

[Steven M]

T6 bulbs are not that common and you might have to order them.

 

[sunkool]

if it is fish only then I would buy the top with light that you can get at walmart.

 

[reefrubble]

Gatorolsen , That's a heck of a price . I would check on where to get T-6 bulbs like Steve said they may be hard to find . sunkool has the right idea try Wal Mart first . Ted

 

[adnup]

NO T12 bulbs at Wally world work great. I have 6500K bulbs over my frag tank. You can get the shop fixture at HD for like $8.99(2 bulb). I made a stand just for the lights. 1x2's and some screws real simple and easy to move.

 

[gatorolsen]

Thanks for all the input - the price made me think that it would be cheaper to try one of those out - the ballasts I was looking at for a DIY were $29 and that was without the endcaps and bulbs

but... $8.99 sounds really good

adnup - any pics - I really like the description of your stand

sorry, could be a really dumb ? but,
with the ready made fixtures from WM or HD - how do you protect from salt creep - the endcaps and covers with my VHO were very secure - how can I modify a ready made not for saltwater to get such a tight cover at the sockets/connections?

Gatorolsen

 

[adnup]

WARNING! This is ugly, not meant to be pretty but it could be with some paint and wire control..

Its just some scrape 1x2's a hand, wood glue and screws. Zip ties and the chain from the light is all thats needed. Like I said I can be done alot nicer but its in my garage...so it looks like its in a garage...lol