cheapest/easiest way to upgrade lighting

nava405 · 03/01/2007, 02:42 AM

I am thinking to upgrade my lighting to MH, and looking for cheapest/easiest way to do it.

tank size is 48x15x24 ,right now i have 65watt pc x6, so easy way to upgrade to min. of 300watt+ MH without a new canopy?

something like this 2x150w+2x130PC+moonlights http://exoticfish.com/img.cfm?s=full&id=43418

wickeddroptop · 03/01/2007, 02:47 AM

The words cheap and MH dont go together. If you want to spend money on garbage that could break down, and you lose all your livestock in the process, spending more money then you would have to begin with. just my 2 cents

wickeddroptop · 03/01/2007, 02:49 AM

Sorry, I didnt read you whole post and jumped to conclusions,,,,you will need a new canopy or find a way to raist the one you have up.

BONDQ · 03/01/2007, 02:51 AM

I agree, MH and cheap don't belong in the same sentence.

You can buy all the retro parts from MarineDep0t and other sites if you want a more "do-it-yourself" approach and these can all be done at a savings, but not cheap.

IMO, the most expensive parts about going MH are the price of the electricity, the cooling you must do to keep your temperature in check, and replacement of blubs which tend to be quite a bit more expensive.

Keep us posted.

nava405 · 03/01/2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wickeddroptop
Sorry, I didnt read you whole post and jumped to conclusions,,,,you will need a new canopy or find a way to raist the one you have up.

well yah, it would be the cheapest if i buy used retrofit MH but then i'll need new canopy for sure. that's why i was looking at the one in the link, which i can just take off the cover of the canopy and clip it on...just trying to think if there's any other way to do it...and + i don't see any selling used MH kit like the one in the link...

kaptken · 03/01/2007, 03:57 PM

you could try a couple of these DE MH retro kits, but you need to raise your hood so the glass shield is 6-8 inches off the water .
they got 150 watt and 250 watt kits.
http://www.hellolights.com/15hlmhrekith.html

then add a pair of VHO Actinics with this kit.
http://www.hellolights.com/2laaroasbaki.html

plus bulbs. not too bad.

if you have a wooden canopy, you can put legs on the corners with 1 x 2s to form a 90 degree angle on each corner, and a block of 2 x 4 screwed into the the corner angle legs to sit on the corner of the tank. just leave a little overhang with the legs below the tank top on all 4 corners and the hood cant slide off. the bonus is with the hood sitting a few inches off the tank, you get better cooling in summer.

justinm0424 · 03/01/2007, 04:47 PM

150w mh's are not going to be that bright. You'll be better off getting 2 250w's. also you should just build a canopy and retrofit. It's cheaper and I think it looks nicer.

nava405 · 03/01/2007, 09:24 PM

good idea, i like the idea to raise up the canopy...i should try that.. thankx for the help!!! that way i can probably do retrofit MH lights.

03/01/2007, 02:42 AM	#1
nava405 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA Irvine Posts: 2,818	cheapest/easiest way to upgrade lighting I am thinking to upgrade my lighting to MH, and looking for cheapest/easiest way to do it. tank size is 48x15x24 ,right now i have 65watt pc x6, so easy way to upgrade to min. of 300watt+ MH without a new canopy? something like this 2x150w+2x130PC+moonlights http://exoticfish.com/img.cfm?s=full&id=43418

03/01/2007, 03:57 PM	#6
kaptken Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: New castle, De. Posts: 1,419	you could try a couple of these DE MH retro kits, but you need to raise your hood so the glass shield is 6-8 inches off the water . they got 150 watt and 250 watt kits. http://www.hellolights.com/15hlmhrekith.html then add a pair of VHO Actinics with this kit. http://www.hellolights.com/2laaroasbaki.html plus bulbs. not too bad. if you have a wooden canopy, you can put legs on the corners with 1 x 2s to form a 90 degree angle on each corner, and a block of 2 x 4 screwed into the the corner angle legs to sit on the corner of the tank. just leave a little overhang with the legs below the tank top on all 4 corners and the hood cant slide off. the bonus is with the hood sitting a few inches off the tank, you get better cooling in summer. __________________ Bend To Fit...Paint To Match...Kick To Start. Current Tank Info: 75 reef and several smaller

03/01/2007, 09:24 PM	#8
nava405 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA Irvine Posts: 2,818	good idea, i like the idea to raise up the canopy...i should try that.. thankx for the help!!! that way i can probably do retrofit MH lights. __________________ I hate polyp extension... Current Tank Info: rimelss 48x30x20, sump 72x22x16, 2x mp40s, nano wavebox

03/01/2007, 02:47 AM	#2
wickeddroptop Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 53	The words cheap and MH dont go together. If you want to spend money on garbage that could break down, and you lose all your livestock in the process, spending more money then you would have to begin with. just my 2 cents

03/01/2007, 02:49 AM	#3
wickeddroptop Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 53	Sorry, I didnt read you whole post and jumped to conclusions,,,,you will need a new canopy or find a way to raist the one you have up.

03/01/2007, 02:51 AM	#4
BONDQ Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: So CA Posts: 621	I agree, MH and cheap don't belong in the same sentence. You can buy all the retro parts from MarineDep0t and other sites if you want a more "do-it-yourself" approach and these can all be done at a savings, but not cheap. IMO, the most expensive parts about going MH are the price of the electricity, the cooling you must do to keep your temperature in check, and replacement of blubs which tend to be quite a bit more expensive. Keep us posted.

03/01/2007, 04:47 PM	#7
justinm0424 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 358	150w mh's are not going to be that bright. You'll be better off getting 2 250w's. also you should just build a canopy and retrofit. It's cheaper and I think it looks nicer.