110 watts for corals...

[trevray2]

I'm gettin a 55 gallon tank and i'm payin an extra 250$ for lighting for corals...110 watts of lighting and POSSIBLY 150 watts...Will this be OK? I don't want anything fancy like clams but I want some nice corals.

[Scuba_Dave]

For $250 you could get MH. What type of lighting, VHO?

[Entropy]

For less than $250 you can get 440w of VHO or 500w of MH. I would do some more asking and research before you lay out that kind of cash at a LFS.


You could easily get a 220w VHO setup up for $110, or a 110w VHO setup for $75

[brianlena2000]

As stated in the other thread that will only be enough for low light corals like mushrooms and softies.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=212323

:bum:

[trevray2]

Compact florescent 110 watts... 250$

[trevray2]

Being 12 years old...i do not have access to a credit card and my parents refuse to give out a credit card number over the internet...

[Bayliner]

trevray2,
What part of Ontario are you from ?
I recently set up 440 Watts of VHO for around $ 280.00 bulbs included.
I also have a 400W MH ballast on order for $280.00

Cam

[trevray2]

"For less than $250 you can get 440w of VHO or 500w of MH. I would do some more asking and research before you lay out that kind of cash at a LFS.
You could easily get a 220w VHO setup up for $110, or a 110w VHO setup for $75"-Entropy

Dunno how to quote...

Where can you get lighting for that price? I would get it if I could...but where do you have to go to get it?

[trevray2]

i live in toronto...

[trevray2]

Also, what does VHO and MH stand for...

[Scuba_Dave]

Normal bulbs = NO
HO = High Output
VHO = Very High Output
MH = Metal Halides
PC = Power Compacts

MV (bulbs) = don't use in an aquarium = Mercury Vapor
some MV ballasts are used to drive 6500k MH bulbs

[trevray2]

440 watts VHO...500$ and 350 watts MH 1200$...PLS tell me where you bout em!

[Bayliner]

VHO stands for Very High Output.
A normal 48" bulb puts out 40 W. A 48" VHO puts out 110W
Same size bulb but over twice the output.

MH stands for Metal Halide.
It is different than florescent lighting.
It has a screw base and is about 10" long. You can usually
get them in 175, 250 and 400 W versions.


I would not recommend 150W on a 55g tank.

What store are you dealing with?
Cam

[Entropy]

Originally posted by trevray2
440 watts VHO...500$ and 350 watts MH 1200$...PLS tell me where you bout em!


440 watts of VHO.....

2xFulham Workhorse 7 ballast $70
4x URI VHO bulbs (I would go with 2x50/50 and 2xActinic) $100
4 sets of endcaps $40

This assums you have some kind of canopy to mount these in. If you don't you will have to make one your self or buy a premade one which could raise the price a lot (premade) or a little (Do it yourself).

The bulbs and endcaps can be found at Marine Depot (http://www.marinedepot.com)and the ballast can be found at ReefGeek (http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/100103.html)

Even with shipping that comes out to less than $250 I would think. The URI bulbs have a built in reflector. You could add a couple of fans for $15-20 each. Build a canopy out of pine or oak and stain/seal it for $50 or less. Just depends on how good you are with workworking and do it yourself wiring.

[trevray2]

i'm dealing with Big Al's Aquarium services and as i said before I cannot order via the internet...They said I could get 220 watts
VHO fixture (not including bulbs) for 250$. Will that be good enough?

I do have a canopy already with normal florescent fixtures

[--] saying that the two lines on the side was the canopy, the two dashes in the middle are the lights...

[Entropy]

Why can't you order from the internet? (If you don't mind me asking). Customs? You can save a ton of money.

220 watts should be fine on your 55 as long as you are just keeping soft corals and maybe lps. 4 watts per gallon is not too bad really. $300 to get it going is just so much money.

[trevray2]

I can;t order from the internet because my mum is worried about disclosing her credit crad number and because if the thing dosen't work it is harder to send it back...

[Entropy]

Originally posted by Entropy
Why can't you order from the internet? (If you don't mind me asking). Customs? You can save a ton of money.


Nevermind I just learned how to read. Sorry :rolleyes:

Looks like you are stuck with buying local but perhaps you can get someone local to order for you with their credit card if you give them cash? I think it is pretty cool you have access to $250 at 12 :D

I was also asking mom for candy money at the age.....

[trevray2]

It is the end of all my birthday money and the money in the bank.
My mum and uncle are buying me the tank as a birthday present cause i'm gonna be a teen...My parents made me promis not to ask for a car on my sixteenth birthday....

[Bayliner]

220W VHO is much better than your original 110W.
For that price I hope the bulbs are included.

Like I mentioned earlier I just set up 440W of VHO with bulbs included for around the same price. But I had to wire it up myself.

If you want to try another source I use Aquarium Depot in Brampton.


Good Luck
Cam

[trevray2]

I am beginning to convince my mum to order via the internet... I have the canopy I told you about before but can you tell me whatb exactly i should get with a budget under 300$ for a 55 gallon tank...and preferably on a site that can ship to canada without having to pay an additional international shipping fee. I wana have the best power for my buck. And if you have had any experience with that particualr site (good or bad).

[Entropy]

I would try to hook up with Bayliner if he is willing. I have no experience shipping to Canada, sorry :(

[DJ88©]

trevray2,

Do a search here on RC for Canadian LFS's. Or canadian retailers.

I can think of a couple

www.jlaquatics.com

www.mops.ca

umm There is also Saltwater connection. Can't remember the URL tho.

Those are three. and I am sure there is better places in TO for supplies than Big als.

I know there is a reef organisation in that area as well.

MAAST I think.

type in canadian in a search and you will find tons!

[localfreak]

trevray2-
Other than Entropy, I think I'm the only one that reads the whole thread and realizes that you are 12 yrs. old and Mom won't order off the internet for you.


I HAD TO REPEAT THAT SO MAYBE PEOPLE WILL CATCH ON NOW!!!

Anyway, not that I have any input about the lighting, I just wanted to try to clarify to the others your position. Hopefully Mom will help you get something online. There really are good deals and as long as there is a picture of a little gold padlock at the bottom,right corner of the web page, that means you are on a secured sight. Most online dealers are pretty reliable. Especially the one's that are referred on here! Good luck w/ Mom!:D :p

[ziah]

URL for Salt Water Connection is...

wait for it....

are you ready.....

www.saltwaterconnection.com

:D

[Bayliner]

localfreak,

I don't remember pushing anyone to order on line.
I recomended a LFS that he could drive to in less than 1/2 hr
I can read

:D

[localfreak]

OK Bayliner, then reread what I wrote!
There really are good deals and as long as there is a picture of a little gold padlock at the bottom,right corner of the web page, that means you are on a secured sight. Most online dealers are pretty reliable. Especially the one's that are referred on here!
I'm not pushing anything here. Just trying to help mom gain some confidence in the ecommerce that is available to us all. I was hesitant at one time about ordering things online.
Secondly, the boy is 12! I'm not sure that driving is legal at that age anywhere!;)

I hope this isn't personal!:D

[Bayliner]

Ok wise guy you got me on the " he could drive to".. :rolleyes:
but I did know he was 12 and his Mom was uncfortable with ordering on line... so does that mean I win ? :p

[localfreak]

It wil be a tie once you learn how to spell "uncomfortable"!:thumbsup:

[Bayliner]

I'll work on that after you learn to spell the word "will"

Hang on while I copy this, paste it into word and do a spell check...……....................Ok all done.

Ha got yah....


:)

[localfreak]

damn!:eek2:

[localfreak]

:sad1:

[yessongs]

you'r mom can place an order by phone.

[slimytadpole]

Does your mother mind giving out a credit card number over the phone? If she's comfortable ordering over the phone, you can send the store an email (to their contact address), and get instuctions from ordering over the phone.

Most on-line retailers can also take phone orders.

Edit: Beaten!

[trevray2]

WHAT LFS DID YOU RECOMMEND????

[trevray2]

never mind...

[trevray2]

I'm am now gettin 220 watts off PC and forty watts of regular florescent...Is this enough?!?!?

[Entropy]

Originally posted by trevray2
I'm am now gettin 220 watts off PC and forty watts of regular florescent...Is this enough?!?!?

I think that will be fine. I would get 10k PC's and a actinic 40 watt. You should be able to keep a wide range of corals (soft and lps anyway).

[ziah]

Originally posted by trevray2
I'm am now gettin 220 watts off PC and forty watts of regular florescent...Is this enough?!?!?

That might be sufficient for your hardy corals, but nobody can really recommend you going with this setup without telling us how much you are paying for it.

BTW, I thought you decided to go with a VHO setup? Are you getting this for an LFS or online?

[trevray2]

Well...I called the LFS and the guy taold me i could get the 220 VHO for 250$ but then when I went to look at it they said they had none in the store and the only ones they could find on the comp system were more n 500$ for the 220 watts. Now I'll get 220 Watts PC for 400$ and i'll use the 40 watts I already had.

[Entropy]

Originally posted by trevray2
Well...I called the LFS and the guy taold me i could get the 220 VHO for 250$ but then when I went to look at it they said they had none in the store and the only ones they could find on the comp system were more n 500$ for the 220 watts. Now I'll get 220 Watts PC for 400$ and i'll use the 40 watts I already had.

I just had a chilling thought! Are you talking Canadian dollars? If so some of your figures are not that out of line.

[ziah]

Originally posted by trevray2
Well...I called the LFS and the guy taold me i could get the 220 VHO for 250$ but then when I went to look at it they said they had none in the store and the only ones they could find on the comp system were more n 500$ for the 220 watts. Now I'll get 220 Watts PC for 400$ and i'll use the 40 watts I already had.

Oh man...I know you don't want to hear this (again), but you can get a better deal online. Maybe your Mom can phone in the order, like others have suggested. I'm sure if you show your Mom how much money you'll save it might be a no brainer to her.

Here's a link for a kit (no fixture), that can handle 2x110 watt VHO:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/cgi-bin/shopping/jalstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=pfo-pfbel22

Keep in mind that 110w bulbs (VHO) do not come in 36" lengths. So what's the length of your tank? Usually 55's are 36"s right?

VHO 36" bulbs come in 96w.

[yessongs]

Originally posted by Entropy
I just had a chilling thought! Are you talking Canadian dollars? If so some of your figures are not that out of line. in his last thread he was talking Canadian dollars

[Bayliner]

Before you do this do yourself a favor and call Aquarium Depot. They are in the same city as you. Ask for Dee. He is the owner.
He will give you 400W of MH for less than that. I have mine on order and will be picking it up next week. Sorry I don't have the phone number off hand but I am sure it's in the phone book. Or better yet. try and stop by. They are located at Steels and Torbram Rd.


Cam

[Aaron1100us]

have you ever looked on the buying/selling forum on here? I bought a 400w MH for $200. YOu can find good deals on there

[jarheadbob]

I hate to chime in like this but I have to ask....

If you are on a ~$300 budget and ready to spend it all on lights, what about ALL of the other stuff that is required for a reef tank?

IE. Power Heads, Skimmer, maybe a wave maker not to mention test kits, chemicals, and like rock.

I admit that I am new to this hobby but I felt I should just ask.

Darrell