Need Reef Tank Light

Hello all,
I just recently bought a 125 gallon all-glass tank. I have been running
freshwater fish for years and once again got my feet wet in sal****er. I am
planning to run this 125 for a reef tank. However, need the proper lighting to
make it all work. I don't want to spend $100's of dollars on lights from a pet
store when I can make something work just the same. Anyone out there know how
to make these fixtures they sell at local stores for $100? Couldn't I find and
create something from the local hardware store that would work for my lighting?
or where to get the proper lighting I need and not kill myself paying it all
off! Please let me know via email at

Thanks so much...

Jeffrey

Jeffrey,

If we could make our own lighting for $99, it would be major public knowledge I
assure you. Bulbs alone can run as much as $89 each! You may find some nice
retro-fit lighting kits on Ebay, but it will cost you at least $200 or more. If
you want to grow hard corals (sps), you'll want to buy 2 x 250w Metal Halide
lighting (assuming your tank is 4' long; 3 -250w if you have a 6' tank).

If you find something you like, come back here and post about it and we can help
you make sure you are getting a good deal.

Marc


N9mxt1 wrote:

Hello all,
I just recently bought a 125 gallon all-glass tank. I have been running
freshwater fish for years and once again got my feet wet in sal****er. I am
planning to run this 125 for a reef tank. However, need the proper lighting to
make it all work. I don't want to spend $100's of dollars on lights from a pet
store when I can make something work just the same. Anyone out there know how
to make these fixtures they sell at local stores for $100? Couldn't I find and
create something from the local hardware store that would work for my lighting?
or where to get the proper lighting I need and not kill myself paying it all
off! Please let me know via email at

Thanks so much...

Jeffrey

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

What do you think of this for a 30?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=46 314

How many of them would I need for my 125? Its 72" long

Jeffrey

Most generally a 24 x 24 footprint for each MH light, to get good coverage.
you can skimp slightly on this but not a lot. 72 foot would be 3 lights,
UNLESS you want some dark areas at one or both ends for softies. then you
could get away with 2 MH, then had the "caves" in the dark areas.

I personally had 3 400MH in a tank roughly 72L x 40H X 28W a homemade, built
in plywood "350 gal". With the sump it was almost 400 gallon of water. but
I had to leave it when I sold my house and got married. I miss that tank

Steve


"N9mxt1" wrote in message
...
How many of them would I need for my 125? Its 72" long

Jeffrey

You need one to cover every 2 feet, as Steve pointed out. 3 x 250w would be
good for a 125g.

Marc


N9mxt1 wrote:

How many of them would I need for my 125? Its 72" long

Jeffrey

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

That is not too bad at all. However, you'll probably find that a 10,000K light
needs actiniic supplementation. I did! I've never heard of that brand though,
and they don't specify the maker of the bulb.

It will have to be 12" off the water, so you don't cook your 30g. Install a
cooling fan in the hood for sure.

Marc


Kelly wrote:

What do you think of this for a 30?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tegory=46 314

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Marc,
I am also trying to design lighting for a tank. Mine being 180gal so 6'
long. The tank is an Oceanic so it has a 1/2" glass reinforcement arcoss
the top in the center , probably 12" wide running front-to-back. If I use
3 - 250w MH lights, the middle one will be directly over this support. I am
thinking of either 2 400w or just 2 250's and will have to be careful what I
put in the center of the tank?
Comments or suggestions?
Henry
"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
Jeffrey,

If we could make our own lighting for $99, it would be major public
knowledge I
assure you. Bulbs alone can run as much as $89 each! You may find some
nice
retro-fit lighting kits on Ebay, but it will cost you at least $200 or
more. If
you want to grow hard corals (sps), you'll want to buy 2 x 250w Metal
Halide
lighting (assuming your tank is 4' long; 3 -250w if you have a 6' tank).

If you find something you like, come back here and post about it and we
can help
you make sure you are getting a good deal.

Marc


N9mxt1 wrote:

Hello all,
I just recently bought a 125 gallon all-glass tank. I have been
running
freshwater fish for years and once again got my feet wet in sal****er.
I am
planning to run this 125 for a reef tank. However, need the proper
lighting to
make it all work. I don't want to spend $100's of dollars on lights
from a pet
store when I can make something work just the same. Anyone out there
know how
to make these fixtures they sell at local stores for $100? Couldn't I
find and
create something from the local hardware store that would work for my
lighting?
or where to get the proper lighting I need and not kill myself paying it
all
off! Please let me know via email at

Thanks so much...

Jeffrey

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Hi Henry,

If you put 2 x 400 on a 6 foot long time, you are going to have two very bright
spots and some major shadowing on both ends plus the center.

Better to put 3 x 250 over it. I know what you are saying about that center
brace. That thing is a major pain, and I won't ever get a tank with one. You
will just have to keep that glass very clean (top and bottom), and less light
demanding things will do just fine in that center spot.

That is the only way I can think that you'd have what looks consistently lighted
tank.

Marc


Henry wrote:

Marc,
I am also trying to design lighting for a tank. Mine being 180gal so 6'
long. The tank is an Oceanic so it has a 1/2" glass reinforcement arcoss
the top in the center , probably 12" wide running front-to-back. If I use
3 - 250w MH lights, the middle one will be directly over this support. I am
thinking of either 2 400w or just 2 250's and will have to be careful what I
put in the center of the tank?
Comments or suggestions?
Henry
"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
Jeffrey,

If we could make our own lighting for $99, it would be major public
knowledge I
assure you. Bulbs alone can run as much as $89 each! You may find some
nice
retro-fit lighting kits on Ebay, but it will cost you at least $200 or
more. If
you want to grow hard corals (sps), you'll want to buy 2 x 250w Metal
Halide
lighting (assuming your tank is 4' long; 3 -250w if you have a 6' tank).

If you find something you like, come back here and post about it and we
can help
you make sure you are getting a good deal.

Marc


N9mxt1 wrote:

Hello all,
I just recently bought a 125 gallon all-glass tank. I have been
running
freshwater fish for years and once again got my feet wet in sal****er.
I am
planning to run this 125 for a reef tank. However, need the proper
lighting to
make it all work. I don't want to spend $100's of dollars on lights
from a pet
store when I can make something work just the same. Anyone out there
know how
to make these fixtures they sell at local stores for $100? Couldn't I
find and
create something from the local hardware store that would work for my
lighting?
or where to get the proper lighting I need and not kill myself paying it
all
off! Please let me know via email at

Thanks so much...

Jeffrey

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com



--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Better to put 3 x 250 over it. I know what you are saying about that center
brace. That thing is a major pain, and I won't ever get a tank with one. You
will just have to keep that glass very clean (top and bottom), and less light
demanding things will do just fine in that center spot.

a hint

4 175w spaced evenly skips the center brace just nicely

at least on my 125 and provides a nice amount of light, though 4 250's would have been
better, its a FO now with 6 32w NO lights

--
Richard Reynolds