Lighting

[RockoC87]

I need to get a good lighting fixture for my 46 gallon bowfront. i have to save up a little. I have been looking online for the best prices for the hoods, 36", and i wanted to know if anybody knows a great site that has great deals on lighting. I want to eventually do metal halides but im just getting started so any help or advice wouldn't hurt. Thanks

[carlinsa]

my suggestion would be get the lights you need FIRST. if you are going to keep corals just wait and get your MH and vhos. may take a little longer to get you up and going but definatley worth waiting.

[blueboy]

i agree. when i first got into the hobby i tried to cheap out on lights. i then went through 2 lighting upgrades in about a year, spending much more than if i had just gotten what i needed from the beginning. there can be alot of expenses when just starting a tank, but carlinsa is right, you will be much better off in the long run. if that's just not possible, i would suggest trying to find a decent used system to limp by on for several months( the resale value of lighting systems seems to be very low)

[mathias]

I got some MH for sale in for sale section they have done great for my planted fresh water tank....


but I did power compacts and when I added MH also to my salt tank everything just opened up and started growing like crazy...

[LoneStar]

This is the metal halide setup I ended up buying.
http://cgi.ebay.com/250-Metal-Halide-Aquarium-Light-w-10k-Bulb_W0QQitemZ7716819320QQcategoryZ46314QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

I bought it from the same guy in May and has worked very well. Its a 250w ballast and comes with a off brand 10k bulb. Very cheap and works great. I ended up ditching the the reflector for a smaller one in my canopy and switched to a XM 250w 10k bulb. The XM made a world of difference from the Plus bulb it came with.

[Darth-Tater]

I have gone through 3 lighting changes since March of 05. :o My .02 cents worth is wait and buy what you want. You can't get %$#@ for used stuff. So save until you have enough cash to buy what you want.

DT

[obtusewit]

i picked up a hood in Houston for a 46 bf at City Pets...$100 new, I then mounted 6 Helios T5 actinic , the ones that come with a ballasted fixture and two 175 MH... piece of cake...you are welcome to come check it out sometime

[satx-94integraLS]

i got a 36" dual floro strip ill give you dirt cheap to start out.

PM me for details

[gjuarez]

IMO, you cant go wrong with T5s. I would look into those as well.

[Bug_Power]

I got my T5's in the mail yesterday. 6 12k bulbs now that are REALLY bright. I just went with 54 watt 48" in my tank I got 3 seporate Jebo units. I'm on a budget, but they light up VERY well. I swapping out 2 bulbs for atinics next week.

[TroyPham]

i'll sell you my MH vho setup if u want. send me a pm.

250w MH and 2-75w vho's plug and play