160 watts reef lighting for $54!

[harmonic]

I've been wanting to upgrade the lights on my 55g, and found an awesome deal today. Was at home depot & picked up:

2, twin bulb, 48" general purpose fluorescent striplight fixtures. - $16 ea.
(Ballasts included)

1 jug of 100 assorted wire nuts. - $5

1 grounded appliance cord for the fixtures. - $7
(Gonna put 'em both on the same cord)

2, twin pack, 48" 40 watt Phillips "Daylight Deluxe" T12 bulbs. - $5 ea.
(6500K)

160 watts of light for $54+tax!!! :grin: If the 6500k bulbs are too yellow I'll switch two out for actinics. (Which I havn't found at home depot yet, they will be costly at the LFS)

But man! 160 watts for $54! I should be able to keep a few softies in there now. :)

[ensley]

I am getting good results from those 100w equivelent screw in power compacts. I have 4 of them over a 20g tank that is working fairly well.

[harmonic]

A few pics:


http://www.win.net/harmonic/55gmarine/55gmlights01.jpg

http://www.win.net/harmonic/55gmarine/55gmlights02.jpg

http://www.win.net/harmonic/55gmarine/55gmlights03.jpg

[ensley]

That does look very good. Looks like electronic ballast too. Id say that is a definate deal.

[hydro]

Just a thought
On my fish only tank I used to use black lights, not
sure what the fish tought but it looked right to me
and at $10 not $30 I liked them better:D
Later Joe

[Aaron]

those ballasts are most likely not electronic, probably standard tar.

Harmonic, can you get a close-up pic of the ballasts?

[harmonic]

Sure -

Ballast:
http://www.win.net/harmonic/55gmarine/55gmlights04.jpg

Fine print:
http://www.win.net/harmonic/55gmarine/55gmlights05.jpg

Notice on fixture:
http://www.win.net/harmonic/55gmarine/55gmlights06.jpg

[Wzrdbear]

Did the same thing for my refugium! Glad you did your own!!! I get tired of getting ripped off too! I put mine on my 60G refugium though with a mix of bulbs. One super daylight, one nutrigrow plant bulb, one standard sylvania aquarium and one actinic white from URI. Didn't really intend this kighting sceme, just what I had around and the red gracillia, cheatomopha and kelp love it! Good job!

[harmonic]

Thanks. :) I'm throwing together a hood for them (the lights) today, sort of a compact design at 7.5" high. It'll fit my 40L or my 55. I'm in the process of getting rid of most of my freshwater fish (who still occupy the 40L) When all the cichlids are out of the 40 it's going to be reef/soft corals/4-6 fish. The shollower tank will meke better use of the lights anyway. Untill then, I'll just set 'em on the 55, which is aggressive FO. I'll be able to take some good pics later this week. :D

[harmonic]

Got the lights on...

http://www.win.net/harmonic/55gmarine/55gmlights07.jpg