don't know what I should do about lighting

HermitCrabFan · 05/12/2008, 09:35 PM

so right now I only have on a really old light with 2 20 watt bulbs from a freshwater setup. I really need some better lighting but I can't decide what to do, hopefully some of you can help.

I've been looking at this unit
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...or~~tab~1.html

I was thinking with 8 bulbs I could replace some of the 10,000k bulbs with different K rated bulbs.

or do you think the other 48 inch unit with only 4 bulbs for 200 less would be fine to also do that with?

I plan to build a hood for the tank, btw it's a 55 gallon, and I was gonna suspend the light over the water. do you think I could do some sort of diy lighting for cheaper/same price that would give more bang for the buck?

also is that brand even any good? really, like I said I have no idea what to do.

as far as corals go, I know I do want to eventually get some, I don't know what yet, but I'd like to open myself to a good selection with the lighting I end up doing.

reef2 · 05/12/2008, 09:39 PM

if ur going to build ur own hood u would be better off with a retrofit kit.

HermitCrabFan · 05/12/2008, 09:50 PM

that link didn't work, goes to a page that just says "error"

can you link again or give a description of what model kit it was?

thanks

reef2 · 05/12/2008, 09:54 PM

the link i was trying was a ice cap retrofit kit with individual reflector with 4 bulbs.

HermitCrabFan · 05/12/2008, 11:18 PM

if I went with a 4 bulb of 4 foot length setup what bulbs would anyone reading this recommend?

or would you do 4 2 foot bulbs? since 4 foot would just barely fit inside a hood made for a 48 inch long tank

but in any case, what bulb configuration would in everyone's opinion would look best?

also after looking at the retrofit kit I priced all the parts separately and it looked about 20 bucks cheaper.

lockecole · 05/12/2008, 11:29 PM

Uri makes 46" bulbs too, rated at 110w each, so that's another option for you. More than likely if you request it in the order marinedepot will substitute them for the 48" ones.

boltman1 · 05/13/2008, 05:03 PM

have a 4 bulb t5 retrofit on my 75 that I got at reefgeek, 2 ATI blue plus, UV 10K aquasun, and an ATI true actinic 03, all 54w, keep mainly softies and zoos with a couple sps pieces toward the top, everything is thriving http://www.reefgeek.com/

05/12/2008, 09:35 PM	#1
HermitCrabFan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 35	don't know what I should do about lighting so right now I only have on a really old light with 2 20 watt bulbs from a freshwater setup. I really need some better lighting but I can't decide what to do, hopefully some of you can help. I've been looking at this unit http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...or~~tab~1.html I was thinking with 8 bulbs I could replace some of the 10,000k bulbs with different K rated bulbs. or do you think the other 48 inch unit with only 4 bulbs for 200 less would be fine to also do that with? I plan to build a hood for the tank, btw it's a 55 gallon, and I was gonna suspend the light over the water. do you think I could do some sort of diy lighting for cheaper/same price that would give more bang for the buck? also is that brand even any good? really, like I said I have no idea what to do. as far as corals go, I know I do want to eventually get some, I don't know what yet, but I'd like to open myself to a good selection with the lighting I end up doing.

05/12/2008, 09:39 PM	#2
reef2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 639	if ur going to build ur own hood u would be better off with a retrofit kit. Last edited by reef2; 05/12/2008 at 09:49 PM.

05/12/2008, 09:50 PM	#3
HermitCrabFan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 35	that link didn't work, goes to a page that just says "error" can you link again or give a description of what model kit it was? thanks

05/12/2008, 09:54 PM	#4
reef2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 639	the link i was trying was a ice cap retrofit kit with individual reflector with 4 bulbs.

05/12/2008, 11:18 PM	#5
HermitCrabFan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 35	if I went with a 4 bulb of 4 foot length setup what bulbs would anyone reading this recommend? or would you do 4 2 foot bulbs? since 4 foot would just barely fit inside a hood made for a 48 inch long tank but in any case, what bulb configuration would in everyone's opinion would look best? also after looking at the retrofit kit I priced all the parts separately and it looked about 20 bucks cheaper.

05/12/2008, 11:29 PM	#6
lockecole Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chilliwack, BC Posts: 20	Uri makes 46" bulbs too, rated at 110w each, so that's another option for you. More than likely if you request it in the order marinedepot will substitute them for the 48" ones.

05/13/2008, 05:03 PM	#7
boltman1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: So Cal Riverside Posts: 464	have a 4 bulb t5 retrofit on my 75 that I got at reefgeek, 2 ATI blue plus, UV 10K aquasun, and an ATI true actinic 03, all 54w, keep mainly softies and zoos with a couple sps pieces toward the top, everything is thriving http://www.reefgeek.com/