Looking for a few items... need your help.

[zmazza]

Hey guys,

I was going to start looking online for these items, but thought some of you might have them laying around or looking to sell them / give them away....

First, I'm looking for a saltwater master test kit, or ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits... I heard they went bad after a year, so I threw mine away.

The other items I am looking for are a metal halide system... I'm looking for something that will work well on a 30 gallon tank... pendant style is fine, or hanging, or clip on. Or a 36-48" T5 system, any number of bulbs.

If you have any of these items and want to sell them / give them away / trade them... please let me know.

Again, as always, thanks a bunch!

 

[Hurley12]

You might ask Reefhound, he has a 36" set-up he is wanting to get rid of i think

 

[ct_vol]

YGPM Zacarino!!! :lolspin:

 

[Runner]

Well, I have a twin-bulb 36" flourscent fixture you can have for $20. But it is only 2x40W normal flourescent T12 bulbs. Good for slow growth on low-light corals and for looking at fish, but not much else.

 

[zmazza]

Sounds good. I've got a 48" 110 watt PC fixture now... I suppose every little bit helps, right?

I was looking at the drsfostersmith.com catalog last night and they have a 4x39 T5 Light with lunar lights for 189 dollars... it's like 152 watts a think, but I don't think it would be too bad for a 30 gallon. It's 36" inches as well... have you guys heard anything about it?

Would a metal halide fixture be a better choice?

 

[Runner]

That T5 fixture probably would be a decent choice. I've read good things about T5s posted here at RC.

I am partial to metal halides because I think that ultimately they give you the best $$$ per Watt of lighting. You need to think about the cost of replacement bulbs when you buy your fixture. A single 250W MH pendant over the middle of your tank might work well -- although you'd have a definite bright spot in the middle and shadier spots on the sides.

Just let me know if you are serious about my old 36" fixture and it is yours. It is just gathering dust in my garage right now. Keep in mind that the bulbs are old and probably have significant lumen loss and are probably out of spectrum by now. They would cost you about $15 each to replace. I had a few palythoas and a candy cane growing under this fixture and another single-bulb fixture, so every little bit does help. It is also good if you want to add some actinics to get an evening "glow" from some corals.

 

[zmazza]

Hmm... might be a decent option. You said you wanted 20 right?

Give me a bit to check out my budget situation, and you may have yourself a deal.

I'm installing some car audio equipment within the next day or so and have a bit more to sell... if I can get close to buying that t5 light, I'll go that route, otherwise, I'll look into buying that light from you.

Thanks again Runner.

PS Any metal halide fixture you recommend that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

 

[Runner]

If you can make your own hood, you can find a used MH retrofit kit for pretty cheap.

 

[zmazza]

I can make my own hood, for sure. How cheap are we talking?

 

[Runner]

Probably $100~$125 if you buy it new and get a magnetic ballast:
http://www.hellolights.com/magbalsys.html
(This link shows fixture only -- count on another $75 for the bulb)

You can find some posted here at RC, too:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1069889
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1069046
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1064184


You'd pay a bit for shipping a heavy ballast, though...