Best bang for my buck? Lighting

[zebvance]

Depending on the width of that hood or your willingness to build another one and work to rig a non-direct application.

http://www.prolighting.com/4fo3t5inst12.html

Thats 3 54W T5HO bulbs. They are saying the standard reflector comes in at 91%, though you can upgrade that to 95%. One solid reflector over individual ones though.

http://ahsupply.com/

I would look at their 54W kits. nominally 4 foot length. Each with individual reflectors. a two bulb kit costs $90. 3 kits would be in the $300 range but require some work on your part.

Honestly though, if your heart is insanely set on 500W, you are looking at MH and learning to love algae.

Oops, found one more

http://www.prolighting.com/6lat5flhibay.html

That will put in 6 54W T5HO. They will fill it with bulbs for $30, costing you $180. You just cover shipping and building the hood/mounting/outlet wiring.

you can also check this out , I also agree with the above post if your handy retro your old one for T5's, Ballast end caps and reflectors all you need they produce very little heat so im sure you wont need any fans

http://www.4fishtank.com/light fixtures.htm

GL

i catalina aquarium lighting. i have 3 lamps and they are great.
they have a 5 yr warranty on the ballast and its made in the use, sac CA to be exact.
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/index.php?cPath=71

but if your handy then get some retrofit stuff and save yourself a bunch of money. dont forget the refector.

Thank you for all the input but I do not want to go with a retro kit because I want to do away with the hood/lightbox all together and have some free standing lights because of aesthetic purposes.

 

[zebvance]

its a 2 foot wide tank the fixtures are what 8 inch wide or so and it looks like its pushed in the back. move the fixture more to the middle. also there is no reflectors so you are getting less light over the tank. i would also think about raising it up a little too so you get more of a spread. i dont think you need to worry about t5 lighting or anything. i just think you need to better adjust what you have maybe mod it a little

Hi, sry for the old pics I attached I have put some rigged reflectors ( aluminum foil haha) on the lights about 3 months ago and didnt see to much difference. I will attach a new pic of the lights and I have also attached a pic of the top of the tank. you will see that I am not able to move the light at all or I wont be able to open the front lid or have the back on cracked opened to fit the intake and outtake hoes. I really just want to get rid of the whole box all together because I think It is ugly and I dont want to build a hood to match this stand because I am in the middle of building a very nice stand and canopy with my dad but It is taking quite abit of time and Is a long project seeing as how we r 3 hours apart and we make a little progress every time I got to visit. I wouldnt be able to get it complete for probably at least another year or more.

 

[zebvance]

more pics of the ballasts and here are the only stickers on this. It doesn't say anything about the wattage the can produce.

 

[Jody]

Well I guess you got the wrong Bulbs in that then think VHO T12 are around 110-115 watts if there 48's so you would have tons of lighting

If your unsure call the number on the ballast and ask

 

[zebvance]

Well I guess you got the wrong Bulbs in that then think VHO T12 are around 110-115 watts if there 48's so you would have tons of lighting

If your unsure call the number on the ballast and ask

I have tried to call the number but they are closed. From what I have heard they are 110 watts a bulb. So where do I get these bulbs from. And If im right and get the right bulbs does this mean I will be running 440 watts!?!?!?!? also has anybody heard of this company?