Need lighting advice from my fellow reefers...

[BMW Rider]

Originally Posted by Reefhawk1

The power bill has gone up by 35 dollars a month, its worth it though my corals a thriving compared to when I was using power compact bulbs.

http://www.cooltouchlighting.com/index.asp

I know that story, mine jumped nearly $50 per month with the new reef tank. My wife was a little stressed out for the first couple of months with that. Now I pay the bill instead of her. I'm trying to cut my power consumption in other areas of the house with energy efficient lights and such.

I did the DIY thing for my lights. I'm running 2 x 250W MH on Icecap ballasts and 2 x 96W PC - 1 actinic and 1 6500k. I bought the kits from J&L, then built the hood myself from 1/2" plywood. It does help that I have a full workshop to build in, but if you can get the wood cut when you buy it, you should be able to assemble it at home. If you like, I still have the drawings for mine, and I could send you them with a cut-list as well.

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

I was thinking for the 77 gal I would start with dual 175w and figured that was all I would really need as long as I stayed away from SPS corals though, hey.

With a 20" high tank, you can have SPS corals with 175w bulbs The actinic PCs are a bonus, imo

And don't let those DIY guys get you going on a project if you don't know anything about electrical and woodworking stuff. The idea of having a reef tank is that the whole package looks great, lighting included. I've seen pics of DIY lighting projects that look, well, crappy, even though they might work like a charm.

Hamilton light fixtures look great if they've been well cared for. We currently have two of them and have used them on past tanks. The fixture you describe sounds great, but I wouldn't buy it used unless you can knock the price down considering you'll have to replace bulbs and tubes shortly. Also, don't buy it unless you can see it to make sure it looks new and is in good working condition.

Edit: Don't worry about an increase in power consumption. This is our hobby. It's supposed to cost money

[Richer]

If I wasn't so lazy with my "hood" you couldn't even tell my lights were DIY... but you would be asking me why there's a "computer" sitting beside the tank .

teevee - I've looked around before, but never found a HD that sold MH ballasts, so I can't compare.

-Richer

[mr_alberta]

Ah, just do a couple of pendants and be done with it.....

[Bob I]

I would have to agree with Beverley. 400 bucks for a complete Hamilton fixture sounds like a good deal, and eight month old bulbs should have quite a bit of life left in them. The first DIY post has some serious shortcomings, as the price of the unit does not have an enclosure factored in, nor the cost of shipping. (I paid close to $70.00 for an Arc bulb once the shipping was added) . BTW, I don't like that Arc 20000K bulb one bit.

As an example I have two PFO pendants with two Ice Cap 175W electronic ballasts on two different tanks. Once you add shipping costs and bulbs you are looking at around $800.00.

[bulletsworld]

Wow, you reefers are AWESOME! Great ideas and comments, Thanks a SUPER bunch for all your replies. You have been a big help!

It’s very overwhelming though with different bulbs, ballasts, reflectors, retrofits, then making the custom canopy, acrylic UV shield, fans and then not getting electrocuted or not burning my apartment down. . I think I agree with Beverly & Bob here, DIY lighting project seems fun but I don’t know anything about electrical, woodworking and the tools that help make the units. I could just see what it would look like now if I built it.

[bulletsworld]

Originally Posted by Richer

If I wasn't so lazy with my "hood" you couldn't even tell my lights were DIY... but you would be asking me why there's a "computer" sitting beside the tank .-Richer

KEWL!!! Now I’m totally curious about the computer. Tell more! It’s for monitoring? Any pic’s? Even though totally off topic, unless…does it help run lights?

Originally Posted by BMW Rider

I know that story, mine jumped nearly $50 per month with the new reef tank. My wife was a little stressed out for the first couple of months with that. Now I pay the bill instead of her.

I guess its a good thing I pay the bill already, that way I could just slide the cost in. I just gotta keep focused! My little anemone, fishy, invert friends NEED me. They NEED SUN! I gotta get new lights, I just gotta despite any extra costs of lighting. Anyone else in with a noticeable dent in their power bill due to when they hooked up MH lighting?

[kuatto]

With 75 light bulbs in the house and my kids never turning a light off,I never really noticed my 250 mh bulb on my power bill I'm thinking motion sensers for their rooms

[Richer]

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

KEWL!!! Now I’m totally curious about the computer. Tell more! It’s for monitoring? Any pic’s? Even though totally off topic, unless…does it help run lights?

Thats the best part of my DIY lighting... there's actually no computer in the computer case, just a couple of MH ballasts running my lights, and a powersupply running my auto topoff. The fans in my case keep my ballasts cool to the touch, and it looks spiffy at the same time... at least it will be once I finish modifications to the thing (I hope).

-Richer

[Beverly]

Jim,

It takes persistance to teach kids to turn off the lights. I was taught to do so, and if I'm not in a room, there ain't no light on. Taught my daughter to do it too. Still trying to teach DH Chris, though