Looking to upgrade lighting

K

ktnjer

New member
Well its about that time....since we got some spare change to spend this weekend, does anyone have any lighting they would possibly want to get rid of? The tank is 55Gal so 48" would do it.

I figured I'd check with you all and maybe see if you had any you wanted to get rid of. I am looking to adding some anemones and coral later on, and thought the best thing to do is build this fuge and upgrade the lighting.

Got to talking to Mike, and he recommended this setup:
Nova Extreme HO

I am looking to stay in that price range if at all possible! Thanks...
 
Looking at the tanks at UA, the 4 bulb nova fixture looked to have less light output than the 2 bulb tek fixtures on their store tanks. From what I hear the SLR reflectors make all the difference with T5's.

I picked up the Nova Pro fixture for my 65, but haven't finished the stand yet so haven't tried it out. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=CU-USA01080&Category_Code=Current-T5 It has better reflectors than the nova, but not as good as some of the higher end fixtures (though cheaper).

I have a 2 bulb VHO balast I think its 2x110, just laying around collecting dust if you're interested. Though that may not be enough depending on what you're planning on keeping.
 
I'd highly recommend buying a retrofit kit. You'll save tons of money that way and end up with better quality. And building a canopy is much easier than you'd think (all you need is some rudimentary skills with a saw and screwdriver).

If you go with T5, definitely go for 4 x 54W (Icecap 660 ballast are supposed to be great) and individual reflectors (those are a must).

If you go with MH, get either 2 x 175W or 2 x 250W.

IMO, that Nova fixture looks like a waste of money.
 
If you go retro, don't forget cooling fans blowing across the bulbs, especially with the ice cap. High heat on T5's decreases light output so I hear, as well as heating your tank. So keep it cool.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12918592#post12918592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J. Montgomery
I'd highly recommend buying a retrofit kit. You'll save tons of money that way and end up with better quality. And building a canopy is much easier than you'd think (all you need is some rudimentary skills with a saw and screwdriver).

If you go with T5, definitely go for 4 x 54W (Icecap 660 ballast are supposed to be great) and individual reflectors (those are a must).

If you go with MH, get either 2 x 175W or 2 x 250W.

IMO, that Nova fixture looks like a waste of money.
Click to expand...

Hey J, could you provide some links for me to look at so I know what I'm up against? I'm sure I can make a canopy to cover it if thats all that is required. Just want to know what all this entails, as I am no electrician :wildone:
 
Ok.....I don't know but after looking at the price of the retro kits, by the time I build the top and everything, it will cost as much as getting an already assembled light? Correct me if I am wrong...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12919043#post12919043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ktnjer
Ok.....I don't know but after looking at the price of the retro kits, by the time I build the top and everything, it will cost as much as getting an already assembled light? Correct me if I am wrong...
Click to expand...
Correct, the cost will be comparable, but the quality will be much better. 4 T5 bulbs sharing a single rectangular reflector is cr*p. You really need something with individual reflectors for T5.

Don't forget about the Used Equipment forum as well. I bought my MH lights from a former RC member. Complete 2 x 175W MH set for $175!
 
Yeh I've been browsing the classified section for a couple of hours...nothing in the price range that I am looking for.

so separate reflectors put off more light ey?

Also after looking at these MH lights, they appear to be like regular work lights? I have a couple of those laying around if this is true. All I gotta do is disassemble them and mount them in a hood.
 
Halogen work lights might look similar to MH pendants, but they are not. Not the same spectrum output, and don't have a ballast. MH's are more efficient for how much light you get versus heat/power use.
 
Interested in a 48" fixture with 2x175 MH plus 2x65 PC? It is in excellent condition. Black fixture with a cooling fan, glass shield, and magnetic ballast. Runs single ended MH and 4 square pin alignment on PC.
 
Looking for $275. I can package most of what's needed for a 90g setup with tank, cabinet with hood, skimmer, lights, sump, wavemaker, pumps, etc.
 
Anyone got any 48" Power Compacts or T5's for sale to run some actinics? I got a 48" double strip power compact for my daylights right now and a borrowed pair of regular fluorescent actinics from mike68 so I need to get these back to him and getg me a set!
 
Not to harsh on your lighting choice (I started out with 4 x 65W PC myself), but you do realize that PC bulbs have a 6 month usable life and bulbs cost >$20 each? I used my PC fixture for about 6 months and then realized how much it was going to cost to keep using it, so took the plunge into MH.
 
If you want to go for MH then I have duel 250 PFO ballast only. You would have to reflectors and sockets and of course bulbs.
Yes the price would be a lot more for a MH set up but you would have all the light you need to do about anything.
 
Josh not my choice of lighting just trying to sell one for a freind. IMO the only way is MH. I started with PC and they are great for starting out and still to the day I like the the color. I thought that they were good for 10 months @ 8hrs a day.
 
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