Lighting Quesions: Trying to keep electric down, but want decent light...

[JLAudio]

I recently sold off my 110 tank and upgraded to a 125 with the plan to make it a 125 fowlr, with option to reef it up if I desire.

However, I want to keep my bill down so I can keep my new landlords off my A$% being the fact they dont know yet how big my tank is (I told them I have a fish tank, but there probably picturing a betta bowl or something. However, I still want a nice look for the fish and maybe even some real lowlight corals.

I figured at roughly 13 cents a kilowatt (saw this online), a 300 watt light for 8 hrs. a day will cost`btwn 9 and 10 dollars a month. The rest up my pumps and equipment will run me around $25 w/ that formula, not that bad at $35 total

My thoughts as of now:
(2) VHO 72" retrofit lights comes 2 roughly 320 watts (160 x 2), I really like the look, but dont want to run chiller and they get hot

T5 lighting: However al the 72 inch models run the watts up to near 500 watts, or maybe do a retrofit with like 4 bulbs, but not sure if it wil be strong enough

Power compact: Most 72" run (4) 96 watt bulbs, which comes to 385 watts or so

MH: Then it dawned on me, what if I run two MH 150 14k pendants. Only 300 watts and wont need actinics if i get a nice blue phoneix or ushio.

Regular flourescent: low watts, crappy look, NO WAY!

Any thought?

 

[Deanos]

VHOs

 

[JLAudio]

you think 2 160watt will be enough to keep the tank looking well lit?

 

[roncgizmo]

If you are basically doing fish only why hot try regular NO bulbs? you can get them cheap
toss two 2x48 shop lights from HD..They also have 6500k bulbs for under 10 bucks for 2
Hell for 50 bucks it might be worth trying.

 

[ming]

It won't be 13 cent a kw in the end. If its at that price, then there will be delivery charge making it about 19+ cent a kw

 

[JLAudio]

The tank I have has 4 36 inch regular floourescent strips, just not sure if this will bring out the colors in the fish. Maybe it will, I havent had regular flourescent in a few years

 

[JLAudio]

That will bring my figures up 25% or so

 

[roncgizmo]

You can buy NO with color..get two blue 03's to go with the two 6500k

 

[roncgizmo]

Or you can do a combo T5 HO and T12 NO

 

[bad coffee]

a 150 DE actually burns more electricity than 150w. you'd be better off getting 2 175's. get two lumnearcs and you'll be able to cover the whole tank, as well.

I'm loving the ushio 14k's. when I swich out my bulbs, I'll be switching to them. And no, I don't have any actinic suplimentation.

B

 

[JLAudio]

Im thinking using two of the 36inch strips with 6500 NO white bulbs and one 160 watt VHO actinic. I think, i could have total watts around 220 and a decent look

 

[JLAudio]

Is there a reason alot of VHO retrokits dont come with reflectors? Are they too hot that its problematic? Because if I dont get a canopy, I could just use plastic hood the tank comes with and put 2 36" VHO retrofit bulbs there 2 NO lights were supposed to go, but have to put reflectors, or else my place is gonna look like a tanning salon

 

[ming]

VHO has reflectors built inside the bulbs

 

[JLAudio]

SO from the top theres no light dispersion

 

[tsinkoy]

You can buy NO with color..get two blue 03's to go with the two 6500k

What is NO?


Also, has anyone ever tried overdriving ballasts here? I am thinking doing shoplights from HD and then just overdriving the ballasts.

 

[cnotes999]

What is NO?


Also, has anyone ever tried overdriving ballasts here? I am thinking doing shoplights from HD and then just overdriving the ballasts.

This sounds like this could be a diaster waiting to happen but im no electrical expert

 

[JLAudio]

I believe NO is normal output flourescent lights. That is what i took from the suggestions and was using the term in that context

 

[ming]

yes, NO = normal output
and I think you mean overdriving the bulbs, not vice versa.
It can be done, but the bulbs tend to burn a little hotter and the lifespan tends to be shorter due to that. But can be safely done.

 

[emmanuel]

let me know if you want to come see my tank its a 125 with 4 96 pc and 3 150 mh I can shut the mh off so you see what the pc would look like I'll be home for the next couple of hours

 

[JLAudio]

Thanks Manny, Im gonna take you up on that offer another time. Umfourtanetly I have a class tonight, but Id love to see if the lighting is enough on that large of a tank, Thanks again