Lighting?

[Reeftanker3295]

Haha dont worry youll get over it, i stare at my tanks atleast 2 hours a day.. haha i have 1 in my room, 1 in the living room and 1 in the kitchen, soon to be 2 in the living room. I also have a turtle tank in my brothers room and now 2 in my room actually including the goby tank now. Yea breeding seems really fun, expecially at the rate that clowns reproduce. Theres some books you can get that teach you all about it.

[mxracer19]

halides are not cheap lights

Search eBay for metal halides and you'll find a company called dirtcheaplights. The actual search is "New 175 Watt Metal Halide Aquarium Light w/ New Bulb". The auction includes the ballast, socket, reflector, cords, and bulb for $90 shipped. I ordered a 250W and Ive been extremely pleased. You don't have to spend a fortune in this hobby but apparently thats what everyone believes. You just have to be resourceful...the internet is your best friend. Cash spent is inversely proportional to time spent looking for less expensive alternatives...The more time you spend, the less cash you'll pay.

[Reeftanker3295]

You check the PAR on those yet mxracer? A fixture and bulb that cheap is deffinetely fishy... Just looking good isnt the problem, its how much light your corals are actually receiving from that light. Test the PAR first.

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by mxracer19

Search eBay for metal halides and you'll find a company called dirtcheaplights. The actual search is "New 175 Watt Metal Halide Aquarium Light w/ New Bulb". The auction includes the ballast, socket, reflector, cords, and bulb for $90 shipped. I ordered a 250W and Ive been extremely pleased. You don't have to spend a fortune in this hobby but apparently thats what everyone believes. You just have to be resourceful...the internet is your best friend. Cash spent is inversely proportional to time spent looking for less expensive alternatives...The more time you spend, the less cash you'll pay.

If it's that cheap and new from eBay, it's not UL listed, and if it catches on fire, your insurance company likely will not cover any loss resulting from it.

Also, lighting is not the area you skimp in this hobby. You don't have to spend a fortune, but if you buy cheap equipment in the beginning you will be buying replacement equipment much quicker again than buying good equipment the first time. The major thing is quality of the bulb and ballast and efficiency of the reflector. It DOES make a difference... Now if you need evidence to back it up, I am more than willing to toss some your way.

[reef-rookie]

Finally ready to get my light! What do you guys think about this one?


http://www.marineandreef.com/Outer_O...p/rcu01041.htm