are these lights worth it

rudyr03 · 09/09/2007, 05:35 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/VHO-72-1134W-Met...QQcmdZViewItem

i was wondering if these lights are any good i have a 150 and i want to start growing corals in the near future.....what are some good brands for these type of light fixtures... if not ill save more money and buy one u guys suggest..or should i go retro with supplemental lighting if so what type....what do u guys think

reefbuzz · 09/09/2007, 05:43 AM

I wouldn't buy those. Never heard of them plus for the money you could get a nice retrofit set of VHOs or T5s. Depending on your corals, that would be enough. If you need more light, an extra metal halide pendant or two will complement it nicely.

Capt_Cully · 09/09/2007, 05:46 AM

I agree. follow the old addage. cheap stuff isn't good and good stuff isn't cheap.

But, with a little patience, you could find a really nice set up in the used forum, or you could build your own retrofit like reefbuzz said.

rudyr03 · 09/09/2007, 05:48 AM

right now i have 360 watts in vho's but the bulbs need to be replaced soon but i want more lighting for lps and maybe some sps later on... but im not sure what to do, i dont mind keeping the vho's and then adding a retro kit

mindistortionx · 09/09/2007, 05:55 AM

I bought my lighting system off e-bay. I actually looked at that item as well.....but I bought one from this member.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget

I bought the 48" one. I believe that it works great. I have my timers hooked up and set the photo period. I believe Odyssea is the manufacturer if that helps. Just look at the shipping on it to find the total cost to you before you buy the one you were looking at. The one I bought was more expensive but the shipping was free.

rudyr03 · 09/10/2007, 05:34 AM

i have decided to go with the retro kit.....can anyone tell me the advantages and disadvantages of se or de hqi ....im prretty sure this has been discussed before ...any comments or threads would be appreciated

Shooter7 · 09/10/2007, 06:14 AM

A discussion from the SPS forum:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1202861

kev apsley · 09/10/2007, 06:55 AM

look on RC too...people always selling good equipment on here

rudyr03 · 09/10/2007, 03:04 PM

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...92ade19443f6fd

this is the cheapest retro that i have found online ...i think its a good deal ..what do you guys think

kev apsley · 09/10/2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rudyr03
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...92ade19443f6fd

this is the cheapest retro that i have found online ...i think its a good deal ..what do you guys think

what are you looking for? pendants? or a fixture? how much $ you wanna spend?

rudyr03 · 09/10/2007, 03:34 PM

anywhere around 600

kev apsley · 09/10/2007, 03:44 PM

well DE is more expensive so I would look into 250watt SE pendants, if your not worried about apperance I would get 3 Lumenarc lll refelctors and hang them or perhaps build them into a hood, they will give you a great spread and you'll be able to grow anything under them. You would just need a decent ballast to fire them but it would be worth every penny
http://www.reefexotics.com/lumenarc_retro.htm

kev apsley · 09/10/2007, 03:44 PM

well DE is more expensive so I would look into 250watt SE pendants, if your not worried about apperance I would get 3 Lumenarc lll refelctors and hang them or perhaps build them into a hood, they will give you a great spread and you'll be able to grow anything under them.

http://www.reefexotics.com/lumenarc_retro.htm

jubjub · 09/10/2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mindistortionx
I bought my lighting system off e-bay. I actually looked at that item as well.....but I bought one from this member.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget

I bought the 48" one. I believe that it works great. I have my timers hooked up and set the photo period. I believe Odyssea is the manufacturer if that helps. Just look at the shipping on it to find the total cost to you before you buy the one you were looking at. The one I bought was more expensive but the shipping was free.

i got the 48" one as well...looks good to me to be honest...i just couldnt fathom spending 1k on lights for 48" and they look pretty good

09/09/2007, 05:35 AM	#1
rudyr03 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: miami Posts: 485	are these lights worth it http://cgi.ebay.com/VHO-72-1134W-Met...QQcmdZViewItem i was wondering if these lights are any good i have a 150 and i want to start growing corals in the near future.....what are some good brands for these type of light fixtures... if not ill save more money and buy one u guys suggest..or should i go retro with supplemental lighting if so what type....what do u guys think

09/09/2007, 05:43 AM	#2
reefbuzz Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Seneca, NY Posts: 219	I wouldn't buy those. Never heard of them plus for the money you could get a nice retrofit set of VHOs or T5s. Depending on your corals, that would be enough. If you need more light, an extra metal halide pendant or two will complement it nicely. __________________ ><((((º> Current Tank Info: Elos System 80 & 300g in wall

09/09/2007, 05:46 AM	#3
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	I agree. follow the old addage. cheap stuff isn't good and good stuff isn't cheap. But, with a little patience, you could find a really nice set up in the used forum, or you could build your own retrofit like reefbuzz said. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

09/10/2007, 06:14 AM	#7
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	A discussion from the SPS forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1202861 __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

09/09/2007, 05:48 AM	#4
rudyr03 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: miami Posts: 485	right now i have 360 watts in vho's but the bulbs need to be replaced soon but i want more lighting for lps and maybe some sps later on... but im not sure what to do, i dont mind keeping the vho's and then adding a retro kit

09/09/2007, 05:55 AM	#5
mindistortionx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 103	I bought my lighting system off e-bay. I actually looked at that item as well.....but I bought one from this member. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget I bought the 48" one. I believe that it works great. I have my timers hooked up and set the photo period. I believe Odyssea is the manufacturer if that helps. Just look at the shipping on it to find the total cost to you before you buy the one you were looking at. The one I bought was more expensive but the shipping was free.

09/10/2007, 05:34 AM	#6
rudyr03 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: miami Posts: 485	i have decided to go with the retro kit.....can anyone tell me the advantages and disadvantages of se or de hqi ....im prretty sure this has been discussed before ...any comments or threads would be appreciated

09/10/2007, 06:55 AM	#8
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	look on RC too...people always selling good equipment on here

09/10/2007, 03:04 PM	#9
rudyr03 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: miami Posts: 485	https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...92ade19443f6fd this is the cheapest retro that i have found online ...i think its a good deal ..what do you guys think

09/10/2007, 03:34 PM	#11
rudyr03 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: miami Posts: 485	anywhere around 600

09/10/2007, 03:44 PM	#12
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	well DE is more expensive so I would look into 250watt SE pendants, if your not worried about apperance I would get 3 Lumenarc lll refelctors and hang them or perhaps build them into a hood, they will give you a great spread and you'll be able to grow anything under them. You would just need a decent ballast to fire them but it would be worth every penny http://www.reefexotics.com/lumenarc_retro.htm