At a loss in regards to lighting

[ScubaSteve]

And think about what you will want to me growing down the road mostly. LPS, softies, sps? I know you said softies, but what kind? Zoas, Xenia? Some zoos can almost be like sps in terms of light.

[Brandon5555]

Essentially I want to grow anything. I know my limits on what I can and cant keep and what not, my budget is basically 500 and under.

[lastlight]

500 all in with bulbs? Chances are you're looking at mh or t5, LED if you DIY.

[Aquattro]

I'd look at one of those coralife 250w MH fixtures (used), or something similar.

[lastlight]

I've got a really beat up 36" maristar fixture. it's 2x250w and the T5 ballasts are shot. I have no doubt this can still light a 48" tank and you could raise it a bit too.

You'd have to pickup the mh ballasts but I'll give you the fixture itself for free =)

[Brandon5555]

Wow thanks! I might just have to take you up on that! Ill give you a couple corals as well! In regards to a ballast. What am I looking at for one of those? Would I have to hit eecol electric or something?

[Nano]

referring to Brads earlier post, what are solar flares? are those like Solar tubes?
Also I know I'm going DIY LED on my next build. costly up front but cheap to run

[lastlight]

It was originally using a bluewave 7 ballast which runs 2x250w. I bought this unit as a package deal specifically to get the ballast.

You can buy the exact same thing (will plug right into it) from Dave here:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=80221

Or if you'd prefer to buy electronic ballasts you can find some used as well I'm sure. These will need to be spliced yourself unless the newer electronic sunlight supply ones have the same connectors.