New actinic shots...been looking at the darn ballast for 4 months now...

[superwizbang]

Ok, so I bought this ballast for $15, and 4 bulbs for $30. Thought I did well until it took me doggone 4 months to buy the endcaps. I finally broke down and bought some non-marine ones for $2.99 a pair from a local lighting store. A little tape around the caps, and many prayers when I first plugged the bugger in and here you go. (no jokes about the poor cameraman--never took night shots before and I have a lot to learn about that little wizbang contraption--too many dang buttons for my liking). Ineresting how everything takes on a blacklight effect. I felt like I was reverting to my childhood again...this time without all the "incense" smell from my best friend's brother's room wafing in.

[jagt48]

Looks Fantastic!

[three90s&125sump]

I think that is a great deal for those.

Tank looks great, too.

[whatevva]

Ahhhhhh...the ol' "incense" days.....

[Loverotties]

Cool pic's!What ballast do you need?

[Chris86]

Cool Picture

[VWD]

Looks real nice , But the tape around the end caps will really get messy. and still be careful with them , They are not water tight.

[superwizbang]

Vince, you really think I should bite the bullet and pick up some ice caps? I have decided that I like the actinics and will keep them. They make a great dawn/dusk lighting source since I run dual 250's during the "daylight" photoperiods.

I had decided not to put too much more money into them, but if it is possible that they could be dangerous I will make the purchase sometime this week.

-Ken

[gwen_o_lyn]

Very nice Ken and welcome to the world of actinics!! w00000000000t!!! I wanted to add a shot that I took last night in my nano.

[DebsSisterFlo]

incense... yeah, riiiight... lol!
I love actinics! They're awesome! Is there a trick to photographing other than no flash and use a tripod?

[gwen_o_lyn]

not really any tricks- just hold that hand steady or use a tripod. My pic is a little blurry though.

[superwizbang]

Very nice gwen. I think I need a tripod. Mine keep coming out blurry. 8(

[cath]

Originally Posted by DebsSisterFlo

incense... yeah, riiiight... lol!
I love actinics! They're awesome! Is there a trick to photographing other than no flash and use a tripod?

Incense! hehehe those days

Yup, a tripod makes a huge difference.

Ken - I don't know much about lights like yours, but safety is an important issue, as evidenced by the GFCI thread from a few days ago. Your tank looks great! You want to keep it that way.

Gwen!! Beautiful shots of your nano in actinic light!

[whatevva]

Gwen, Dude! that was an awesome pictcha.

[Brent Cone]

Originally Posted by superwizbang

Ok, so I bought this ballast for $15, and 4 bulbs for $30. Thought I did well until it took me doggone 4 months to buy the endcaps. I finally broke down and bought some non-marine ones for $2.99 a pair from a local lighting store. A little tape around the caps, and many prayers when I first plugged the bugger in and here you go. (no jokes about the poor cameraman--never took night shots before and I have a lot to learn about that little wizbang contraption--too many dang buttons for my liking). Ineresting how everything takes on a blacklight effect. I felt like I was reverting to my childhood again...this time without all the "incense" smell from my best friend's brother's room wafing in.

Very! Very! nice!!!! just love the color!!