Lighting Question

The feedback I've heard on Lights of America lamps hasn't been good. There was a recent thread here that reported the ballast blowing out after a short while. That thread contains a link to a thread on a different forum where others reported similar problems.

Lumens really aren't a good indicator of light that is photosynthetically useful to the plants. Its a measure of light that is visible to us. The ganged bulbs are blowing a good amount of their light into each other rather than down into the tank. A strip with a good reflector makes a lot more sense to me in terms of efficiency. I didn't think they were a great idea before I started hearing about problems with them.

I'd check out the CFs at AHSupply, which are excellent IMHO, or look into metal halides for such a big tank (green with envy ). If your looking to economize you might just buy new ballasts for the existing setup.

I've had a lot of good luck with Ice Cap flourescent ballasts. You could buy a 660 ballast and it will power Normal, HO, VHO tube flourescents in many different configurations as well as power compact bulbs. In fact, some people have the long tube flourescents and power compacts together on the same ballast. Their website is www.icecapinc.com I've had nothing but excellent service from them. In fact, when I got out of marine/reef keeping tanks, they switched over my Ice Cap metal halide ballast to a flourescent ballast for free. Although they are a bit pricey, I think one of the best prices can be found at www.oceanencounter.com That is where I bought my ballast.

They claim that your bulbs will last much longer because of the way that the ballast drives the bulbs. I can say that I've been very pleased with the ballasts. Just my opinion.

I've also heard a lot of good things about AHSupply. Very good prices.

For a tank your size, I would hesitantly suggest you look at metal halide simply because of the vast amounts of light that you will need. (hesitantly because you will really have to balance your Co2 and nutrients or you will have mondo algae You could go with with two 250 watt pendants (one for each side) for lower light needs up to two (2) 400 watt pendants (one for each side for high light needs. Contrary to popular belief, you can do Metal Halide fairly cheaply. You could get 2 uncased multi-tap metal halide ballasts for about $80 and the lamps for about $60 each. Then you could build a hanging pendant for the bulbs (with fans for heat dissapation) and you would be set up. Cool thing about MH is that you will see light ripples on the bottom of your aquarium because MH is a point source light.

I'd recommend the Ushio brand metal halide bulb at 10,000K because I've heard that it has a good PAR rating. It will give you a nice white light. It will not look yellow like the metal halide bulbs you can buy at Lowe's for $20.

Of course, most all of my experience is with reef aquariums. I'm just getting into freshwater plants. But...I can tell you that most reefkeepers are very picky about their lights and this setup above would be good for a reef. Ask others their opinion too. Lighting costs the $$$. I've spent hundreds messing around until I finally bit the bullet and did my lighting right.

Good luck
Humbly submitted,
John

Welcome....

MrDitty, to Aquaria Central, home of the brightest fishkeepers on the internet.

I don't have much to add, other than I saw the same product you did and then read the same thread as was referenced and decided against them. If you do get that setup, let us know how it works for you.

Val