DIY lighting shopping list homework

[fishywoo]

Okay say I wanted to build my own lighting system. 36 inches duel double ended 250 watts with Actinic supplement(T5 or VHO). What would your shopping list be. How much could you build it for? (Quality is a consideration)

 

[cali_reef]

Would love to see how you do this for cheaper than buying a ready made one.

 

[fishywoo]

Cali I guess this is why I started this thread.

 

[House of Laughter]

for $250 you can get it complete - retro kit with decnt bulb. Again, one of the things I just can't see the cost benefit anlysis for skimping on. At best, you'll save $60 - not worth burning my house down for $60.

There are, however, people out there who are really good (technically speaking) with electrical stuff if you need to save the dough!

House

 

[fishywoo]

So house your saying you are just as well off buying rather then building. Where is the best place to buy a setup like this and how much should it cost?

 

[House of Laughter]

I buy mine from premium aquatics,and yes, my comfort level is low with electricity, so, I eat the $60 and buy from the vendors.

PFO Retro Kit

This is my preference - I upgrade the bulb from Ushio to Aqualine Buske - as is, though is like 250 after shipping!

Good luck

 

[cali_reef]

House,

he is not looking for mogul stuff or a single pendent, I can't buy a ready made 36" dual 250W "DE" bulb with actinic light setup any where for less than $600.

 

[fishywoo]

Cali your right. I was thinking more like the following link. This however has a single 150 MH. Here is a reply I received from marineand reef.com

We do not have a system such as that at this time. In the future both
Coralife and Current USA will be coming out with double ended HQI systems
with 250W HQIs, but right now they only have the 150W HQIs.

I do not believe that there are any double ended HQI retrofits. The bulbs
need to have a glass cover and this is difficult to do with a retrofit.

Regards,

David

 

[fishywoo]

Sorry I forgot the link. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CU-USA01041&Category_Code=Current-H

Marine and reef have a single ended set up.

http://www.marineandreef.com/products/Hamilton48PCMH_Hood.jpg

 

[cali_reef]

You can get 250W DE MH fixture in 24", 36", 48", or 72" pretty easily, here is what Sun Light Supply offers:

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/aquarium/products/lighting_fixture-combo.shtml

Building this from scratch is another story...