Help setting up a low-buck propagation system

[Keith P]

My buddy in NJ has 3 display tanks and his wife said "no more tanks in the house!"
So, as any good husband would do, he is going to setup a large prop tank in his in-law's basement. :tongue1:

We acquired many 48" and 72" commercial florescent fixtures.
First question, Can I replace the ballasts to make these a VHO setup?

Second, where to get strong, but cheap, plastic tubs to use as tanks? I heard there are under-bed storage tubs that would work. Any one know of these?

Finally, we are keeping this cheap, so we thought about an algae turf scrubber over a protein skimmer. Is this a wise choice?

He wants to grow things that are easy to sell. Xenia, GSP, shrooms, softies, etc...

 

[Killerdrgn]

You mean easy to grow or easy to sell? Most of these things listed are things that seem to be given away for free most of the time.

 

[Keith P]

Reviewing his list, it does look like easy to grow.

What should I recommend his to grow to sell?

I think he dreams of being able to sell xenia all day long, which is not realistic.

 

[Hungriee]

maybe grow some rare zoas and sell them but no one will want to buy xenias, maybe one or two stalks at most.

 

[cali_reef]

We acquired many 48" and 72" commercial florescent fixtures.
First question, Can I replace the ballasts to make these a VHO setup?

Second, where to get strong, but cheap, plastic tubs to use as tanks? I heard there are under-bed storage tubs that would work. Any one know of these?

Finally, we are keeping this cheap, so we thought about an algae turf scrubber over a protein skimmer. Is this a wise choice?

He wants to grow things that are easy to sell. Xenia, GSP, shrooms, softies, etc...

After buying new ballast and bulbs, you will realize the commercial light fixtures don't work well, esp for a prop system.

Cheap = not going to work verywell.

 

[Killerdrgn]

you might as well just get the icecap t-5 retrofits, more light and less energy consumption than vho.

 

[Marteen]

If he wants something easy to grow and easy to sell tell him to get into MINI-NEMS! Then sell me some!