Confusion!!!

[SteveJess2000]

Good Morning Guys!

I am sooooooooo confused with purchasing lighting. I have been trying to follow along so I wouldn't ask a dumb question but all this VHO, MH and such is gonna make my head explode! I really need to upgrade my lighting I have the "Medieval Ballasts" LOL! Also I am kinda on a budget and am not very handy to build my own. Suggestions?


Thanks!

Steve

[Prismaco]

How big is your tank ? PC lighting is good. Or are you just looking for VHO, MH ? check out:

www.hellolights.com


They got some great deals...


-Paul

[georgiajams]

Yeah, give us an idea of your tank size (gal + rough dimensions) and what types of creatures you have, or want to be able to keep. I can guarantee you won't get a firm answer one way or the other, but the replies ought to get you in the right zone anyway.

[Geoff]

also how DIY are you. i like the hellolights stuff. i have my VHO from them. you know the questions. give us some answers.

G~

[Prismaco]

-Tank Size
-Dimentions
-Fish only ?
-Reef Tank ?
-Budget
-also like Geoff said, how much DIY are you ?

I personaly didn't buy a retro kit because I was new to this hobbie and it was my first tank. Now my new tank I am going all out, retro kit, monitor, RO/DI unit, UV, ect....

-Paul

[SteveJess2000]

55g 48L x 12W

I want to keep a couple of anemones clown fish and perhaps some soft corals. I don't know what DYI means! I want to keep cost as low as possible but at the same time I realize that lighting is going to be expensive.

Thanks Guys!

Steve

[Prismaco]

DIY - Do It Yourself

I would go with PC's, 50/50 but that is my $0.02. Also, how much LR do you have in you tank ? Just currious....

-Paul

[thefatman]

Originally posted by SteveJess2000
55g 48L x 12W

I want to keep a couple of anemones clown fish and perhaps some soft corals. I don't know what DYI means! I want to keep cost as low as possible but at the same time I realize that lighting is going to be expensive.

Thanks Guys!

Steve

anemones.....dude, you jsut opened a whole can of worms on your self.. you'll see

i have the same size tank and it was recommend i get 2 46.5" vho's (cost roughly 150 for lights, and ballast, and endcaps)

hellolights does have good prices.

with two vho's youu'll be able to keep most softies, shrooms, leathers, and of course, fish.

diy - DO IT YOURSELF.. ie: build your own canopy, buy the light kit from there and install/wire it yourself (comes with diagrams)

check my site, i jsut built a canopy for my 55g with two vho's and have a diy section detailign the process. i'll be adding the whole wiring setup i na few days.

that's my two cents. get a few more. heck if enough people give you two cents, you'll be able to go buy the lights for nothin outta your own pocket

[Jimmer]

DIY=Do it yourself!

Are you planning on using a canopy? If so you can get a PC (Power compact) or VHO retro fit kit to mount into the underside of your canopy.

You can also get a PC hood.
You can also get a VHO Pendant that screws to the ceiling and hangs above the tank. It all depends on what you want and what works for your application.

I TOTALLY understand the lighting questions. I just recently went through my own Q&A session about lighting.

I have a canopy over my tank and was able to put in a used retrofit PC setup in mine for $250.00.

HTH

LOL Jay, dueling posts to help here!

[SteveJess2000]

I have the stock hood that came with the tank. I know that it's not enough. I'm not that much of a do it yourselfer......but I can sure try. I am open to try anything.....I just want to be sure that the light I purchase is going to be sufficent for the anemones, soft corals, and of course fish.

Oh yeah and another question I saw some pics of blue illuminated tanks....is that kinda like a "night light?" It looks really sharp.

Thanks Guys!

Steve

P.S

I can't believe the amount of replies I got in just an hour! WOW!

[Jimmer]

The blue effect is from an actinic bulb.

I do know that the PC does come as a hood that has little legs on it so it will sit above the glass on your tank. Helps with air flow!

I prefer a canopy over my tank as it is more aestically pleasing to me. Its also easier to hide your lights under a canopy.

[thefatman]

the stock hood will not cut it. it wont handle the new lights and ballasts. so you'll have to get a new hood. or build one. this is , assuming that you have a typical "plastic versahood"

enough light for anemones.. yo uare going to hear it once, so let me be the first... you need LOTS of light for those. which means LOTS OF DOUGH. (i jsut got in trouble yesterday for getting an anemone, and it died in 3 days)

anemones are the hardest thing to keep alive in a reef tank. they require ungodly amounts of light. so most people will stray you from them. i knew this, but got one anyway, and i knew i was in for a spanking when i told.. and it was worse, when it died on me..

also, your fish are not what require the high end lights. its the corals because many are photosynthetic (or are they all?)

the blue light you see, is a blue actinic bulb. it does two thing.s one, it mimics dusk and dawn for your fish, instead of jsut turning o nthe bright light from darkness. and two, it recreates the blue light that reaches deeper depths in the ocean, which your corals will utilize for photosynthesis.

[thefatman]

we've got to stop dueling today jimmer

[Jimmer]

Originally posted by thefatman

also, your fish are not what require the high end lights. its the corals because many are photosynthetic (or are they all?)

Most, not all...

Originally posted by thefatman
we've got to stop dueling today jimmer

Do I hear the "dueling banjos" theme??

[thefatman]

do do der ner ner ner ner ner ner

do do der ner ner ner ner ner ner