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#1
03/15/2007, 03:37 PM
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Lighting for zoos
I am looking to set up a tank for my angler fish and want to keep some zoos in with it and possibly some pulsing xenia and other easier corals. A friend of mine from my local reef club is offering me a used 36" PC 2x65w All Glass Co. light fixture for about $52. Would this light work? I have other tanks I will be getting more intensive light for so no worries about me wanting to upgrade. Just would like to grow some stuff out in with the Angler and give it a colorfull tank.
Jon |
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#3
03/15/2007, 04:41 PM
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I was just told by someone else that a single 36" 96w 50/50 would work fine... Anyone else have input?
I think I may be getting some T5s in a couple months, perhaps at that point I will put a single T5 bulb on top of this tank in addition. Jon |
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#4
03/15/2007, 04:49 PM
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Yeah... zoas grow like weeds under T5s (better than halides even). A 2x39wattT5 setup, one blue+ and one sun bulb would be my pick. check out retrofits by Sunlight Supply @ reefgeek. Those two 39 watt bulbs will put out just as much if not more light as that 2x65watt PC, thanks to their much better reflectors. They will also last a good 2 years. PC bulbs are lucky to last 9 months... those ones you are getting... they are old I imagine? That means you are really paying $90-100 for the unit after you get new bulbs.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply includes bulbs. int he long run, it will cost much less to run. A quick calculation of fixture cost, bulb life, electrical cost (at $.10 per kwh), and bulb cost tells me that T5s will pay for themselves (being an extra $50-80) in the first year to year and a half compared to PC. They will cost about $2 less a month to run, and bulbs for PCs will run you much more than T5s, and more frequent. After 18-24 months, the actual operation cost of the 2x65wattPC fixture will be $26 more than the T5s, and the T5s will produce more light (T5 make about 2-3x as much light per watt as PCs). The other advantage is that over time, you will be able to simply add on two more bulbs (retro-style) if you want.
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"If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it" -Al Einstein |
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#5
03/15/2007, 05:11 PM
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hahnmeister... Your pushing me in and I'm about to take the plunge. I've been putting off buying nice lights for a while, but I think your right. In the long run it will be just cheaper for me to get the T5s and be done with it.
Thanks everyone for your input. Jon |
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#6
03/15/2007, 09:27 PM
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let me know if you want to build a T-5 hood or light strip. I have made some. perhaps i can build one for you. just supply the electronics. I have used fulham ballasts for mine. what would you use? figure on $15 per lamp for endcaps/mounts and $15- $20 per lamp for reflector. and at least $20 per lamp for ballast power. power cords, switches, lumber, screws, glue, finish, extras. plus the lamps...
what size are you looking for?
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Bend To Fit...Paint To Match...Kick To Start. |
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