Starfire Lighting Suggestions

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Jfish

Yeah I did consider pendants since they could still be hanged above and leave a clean look. I guess I just don't have the understanding of MH so its a little intimidating trying to figure out how to piece it togeather. So your suggesting using two or three pendants, each pendant having two bulbs inside of it. Then spacing the pendants evenly across the length of the tank. That way the two bulbs in the pendant would be spaced a bit so not as much light would be going straight into the overflow.

Not quite. Two pendants, one bulb in each pendant. One pendant on each end of the tank with a slightly larger gap between the two lights than the gap between each light and the end of the tank.

Originally Posted by Jfish

I take it the pendants only have a power cord coming out of them that could be run down into the stand. Then each pendant would attach to a seperate ballast?

Yes, one cord going from each pendant to each ballast, then one cord from each ballast to the wall. You can buy dual ballasts too, so they are 2 in 1. Still have one cord from each pendant though, but only one cord to the wall.

Originally Posted by Jfish

If you don't mind me asking a good place to get all this stuff if I decide to go that route or at least gain a better understanding of it. I see on JL site you can pick bulbs and ballast but not the reflector. Maybe im just looking in the wrong spot.

I have some pendants, ballasts, and reflectors I could show you how they work. Makes more sense to see yourself.

On J&L's site they allow you to pick ballasts and bulbs together because some ballasts will only run certain bulbs, so some bulbs will only run on certain ballasts. They have taken that guesswork out for you by only listing the compatible options. You buy the reflectors separately, you just have to match DE or SE (double end or single end).

Personally, I prefer to buy locally rather than buying from J&L Aquatics. I suggest you talk to Bayside Corals or The Reef Shoppe and buy from whoever can get you the best price on the equipment you decide on. You may be surprised how close many prices are to J&L.