What would you do for lighting? 150w? 250w? LED?

[lastlight]

I guess with the fixture you are stuck with those compacts. Too bad as T5s would do far better.

There's no way around some big costs to change it up I guess. Try and find a nice 3x250w retro used? Sell the fixture?

[Milad]

Originally Posted by lastlight

I guess with the fixture you are stuck with those compacts. Too bad as T5s would do far better.

There's no way around some big costs to change it up I guess. Try and find a nice 3x250w retro used? Sell the fixture?

well the cost of a 250w used + new bulbs would still take a big bite out of a LED fixture.

so im going ahead with LEDs and you will soon see an LED build thread from me. this is going to be fun!!!

[Ian]

I am doing the same comparrison and am leaning strongly toward LED myself. It just seems that the long term cost of LED's is hard to beat. Even if a few burn out early and need to be replaced after about 1 year they have paid for the increased cost and have 5-10 years left of life span. even at 400 per year replacement cost for bulbs that sholde be 3000 in savings plus electricity.
As for SPS liking them the key seems to be using enough LED's and dimmable ballasts so you can fine tune the color.

[Milad]

Originally Posted by Ian

I am doing the same comparrison and am leaning strongly toward LED myself. It just seems that the long term cost of LED's is hard to beat. Even if a few burn out early and need to be replaced after about 1 year they have paid for the increased cost and have 5-10 years left of life span. even at 400 per year replacement cost for bulbs that sholde be 3000 in savings plus electricity.
As for SPS liking them the key seems to be using enough LED's and dimmable ballasts so you can fine tune the color.

when you doing your build IAN? we can have a build off.