A Cheaper Coral Light?

[MadMike]

I Have Some Friends That Say You Can Have A Good Coral Light And Not Having To Spend Over $45.
They Say You Can Use A Reptile Dome Light Fixture, And A 150w Halogen Light Bulb. They Say That The Corals Will Grow Good But I Don't Know If It Would Be A Good Thing To Do, Or Not A Good Thing To Do.
If Anyone Knows Let Me Know.
-mike

[MissT]

you want the long version or the short version?

[MadMike]

It Is The Short Round Fixtures. I Was Thinking Hanging It From The Ceiling Like A Metal Hailide. (can't Spell It) Lol

[MissT]

Oh I meant the long version or short version of why you shouldn't do it...

[erikharrison]

Short version, reflectors, corrosion, and UV. Also, what size tank do you have Mike? 150w is good for a small tank, or a larger tank but only with softies. What are you trying to keep?

[RayAllen]

yep not a good idea. Not to mention how ugly the color spectrum would be. You will find that if you cut corners in the SaltWater hobby it will nip you in the butt. There are things that everyone of on here experienced and inexperienced would change on their aquariums.

[MadMike]

it would be for a 29 gallon, i was just think if i should or not cus lights are expensive and i cant afford them.

[RayAllen]

Watch the for sale forum often Ive seen Single 150w MH retros go for $40-60 on here.

[ismvel]

yep not a good idea. Not to mention how ugly the color spectrum would be.
I did this as an experiment in KC before I moved down here Mike. And let me tell you, it was a small 7.5 gallon tube tank, not a 29 gallon. And the corals survived in there just fine. I had it on my desk in the office for about 6 months. I saw minimal to no growth. And as Ray just said, the color was HORRIBLE. I fragged an orange gorgornian with white polyps and put it in that tank, and it looked like a brown with brown polyps.

If you can't afford to get a MH light, then keep your eyes peeled for a T-5 light...the retro-kits are inexpensive (as far as lighting goes), much better than power compacts and the bulbs are cheaper. This kit is only 95 bucks (but doesn't come with bulbs)

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1349

[Ping]

It would be MUCH better to modify a hood to hold a bunch of 25w 65K CF light bulbs with a good homemade reflector, I dont remember why right now, but Halogens are a bad ide for our hobby.

Wal-Mart sells the 25w 65K CF bulbs. They are a standard screw in lightbulb size.

Also they make a 20w 50/50 bulb that has good coloring.

[Ping]

That hellolights set up is a good deal.

[brewercm]

It would equal out to nice brown corals at best with possibly some growth. Honestly just save up to get a decent light for that.