Arg

[Morel]

There has GOT to be a way for me to get 1/2 decent lighting without spending 200-400 dollars! I mean, I don't care if it looks ugly as sin, or if it wasn't made for fish tanks. But there's GOTTA be another way!

AHH! I want corals.. but 300 bucks... ouch... wahhh.

And how much light does Purple aglae need? heh

Sorry. kinda tired and cranky.. hehe

Anyone have any ideas? Maybe home depo? =p

[VoodooChild]

Purple coralline needs a fair amount but it'll grow without it, only it'll be pink or white. How big of a tank is it? You can get some fair stuff growing under the quad lights sold by Coralife (actually a subsidiary I believe but I can't remember the name...ESU?). You can buy a 36" 96w set up for less than $120.

[Adam Kasycz]

If ya dont want to spend all sorts of money on lighting go to your local hardware store (home depot) and get some light fixtures and build yourself a hood that will hold them. you will still half to pay a high price fore the bulbs but you save a bundle on the fixtures.

[BrianH]

If you want corals you will have to pay the cash, unless you can find someone willing to give you the lighting.

Brian

[mogurnda]

If you check out marine and reef (http://www.marineandreef.com), Corallife has put out some excellent power compact fixtures, complete with bulbs and fans, for about half of what I usually see them for. Just bought a 130W 24" fixture for $130 myself. Not even including the time it would take to do it, the price was less than I would have paid for the parts to DIY it.

I don't think you can get light that's appropriate for corals any cheaper.

[BrianH]

Also check out hellolights (http://www.hellolights.com) .
I think they are rynning some pretty good specials on power compact hoods.
Brian