any cheap option for lights

Sudarshanv · 08/12/2007, 08:35 AM

I trying to get my tank up and running again..I had a T-5 from liveaquaria last time and sold it off..this is for a 55gal..what would be the cheapest way to get lighting for my tank....may not keep the most demanding types of corals

Mark75 · 08/12/2007, 08:56 AM

I have found lighting to be hard to come by cheap! I too am getting a tank up and running again and live rock and lighting are exspensive. Two options I found for cheaper lighting is used or the Nova Extreme T-5 HO fixtures. Keep in mind the Nova Extreme fixtures are nowhere near as good as single reflector T-5 so they my limit what you can keep in your 55 gal. but you can almost buy two of them for the price of the single reflector T-5's.

MR PALM BEACH · 08/12/2007, 09:56 AM

http://www.aquatraders.com/ Cheap Lighting!

Archmagev · 08/12/2007, 10:56 AM

Someone on RC was using direct sunlight. I think he had to fight algae (you'd need to invest in some sea hares and alot of inverts) but the corals supposedly were going gangbusters.
I would think that a really good chiller would be a requirement for this tank as well as the aforementioned oversized invert crew to keep the algae in check, but it should be doable.
The colors wouldn't flouresce (no actinics) much but if you had this tank in a large window where it could get some direct sun, it would definitely get enough light and be cheaper (well, cheaper if you were planning on a chiller originally anyway) than a nice lighted setup.

sabbath · 08/12/2007, 11:38 AM

Look in your local want adds for some one getting out of the hobby or upgrading...

chrisqueenz · 08/12/2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sabbath
Look in your local want adds for some one getting out of the hobby or upgrading...

I agree, some of the best and cheapest lights I have purchased have been from other people wanting to upgrade or simply getting out of the hobby.

Craig731 · 08/12/2007, 04:36 PM

I had a good experience with Catalina Aquarium lights, custom t5 builds w/ individual reflectors. Cheap compared to other t5 brands.

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/index.php?cPath=71

sabbath · 08/12/2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig731
I had a good experience with Catalina Aquarium lights, custom t5 builds w/ individual reflectors. Cheap compared to other t5 brands.

http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/index.php?cPath=71

I agree, I have one of their lights as well and it works great. Nice solid build. These are not the cheapest way to go but a good one IMO too.

Sudarshanv · 08/12/2007, 04:45 PM

this is awesome...I am getting some terrific inputs ...thanks to all of you...

0b1 · 08/12/2007, 09:35 PM

This thread, odyssea MH fixture review, has some great details for cheap HQI lighting with some upgrade options. At least start off cheap, well cheaper then normal.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&pagenumber=30

08/12/2007, 08:35 AM	#1
Sudarshanv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CT Posts: 273	any cheap option for lights I trying to get my tank up and running again..I had a T-5 from liveaquaria last time and sold it off..this is for a 55gal..what would be the cheapest way to get lighting for my tank....may not keep the most demanding types of corals

08/12/2007, 09:56 AM	#3
MR PALM BEACH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jupiter, Fl Posts: 802	http://www.aquatraders.com/ Cheap Lighting! __________________ And I thought buying an puppy would be to expensive! Current Tank Info: 23" LCD with Windows Aquarium screen saver.

08/12/2007, 04:45 PM	#9
Sudarshanv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CT Posts: 273	this is awesome...I am getting some terrific inputs ...thanks to all of you... __________________ SV ------------ Current Tank Info: 75 Gal mixed reef

08/12/2007, 08:56 AM	#2
Mark75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East Tenn. Posts: 740	I have found lighting to be hard to come by cheap! I too am getting a tank up and running again and live rock and lighting are exspensive. Two options I found for cheaper lighting is used or the Nova Extreme T-5 HO fixtures. Keep in mind the Nova Extreme fixtures are nowhere near as good as single reflector T-5 so they my limit what you can keep in your 55 gal. but you can almost buy two of them for the price of the single reflector T-5's.

08/12/2007, 10:56 AM	#4
Archmagev Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Lorenzo, Ca Posts: 80	Someone on RC was using direct sunlight. I think he had to fight algae (you'd need to invest in some sea hares and alot of inverts) but the corals supposedly were going gangbusters. I would think that a really good chiller would be a requirement for this tank as well as the aforementioned oversized invert crew to keep the algae in check, but it should be doable. The colors wouldn't flouresce (no actinics) much but if you had this tank in a large window where it could get some direct sun, it would definitely get enough light and be cheaper (well, cheaper if you were planning on a chiller originally anyway) than a nice lighted setup.

08/12/2007, 11:38 AM	#5
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	Look in your local want adds for some one getting out of the hobby or upgrading...

08/12/2007, 04:36 PM	#7
Craig731 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastern Shore, MD Posts: 112	I had a good experience with Catalina Aquarium lights, custom t5 builds w/ individual reflectors. Cheap compared to other t5 brands. http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/index.php?cPath=71

08/12/2007, 09:35 PM	#10
0b1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 104	This thread, odyssea MH fixture review, has some great details for cheap HQI lighting with some upgrade options. At least start off cheap, well cheaper then normal. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&pagenumber=30