what would you buy?

[katpurdy]

most DIY set ups are not CSA approved(canadian!) so my hubby wants to buy a manufactured fixture for our tank. I currently have 250W 12K reeflux SE and 2 VHO actinics over the 55G tank...it is a 36" tank...20 deep and 18 front to back. I am starting to go sps dominant.

so what would you buy with a budget of $800-1000 canadian, knowing the dimensions of the tank, and what it is mainly housing.

Bring on the suggestions!!

Thanks
Kat

[katpurdy]

19 views and no opinions? shocking!

[barbra]

If your DIY setups are actually safe and your husband is merely concerned about the lack of approval from a government body then I would keep my money in my pocket. None of my lights are UL listed but that doesn't mean they aren't done correctly.

[katpurdy]

i have exposed wire from the flourecent ballast...he hates this...electricity is his biggest fear so he would rather spend than worry.

[barbra]

Bummer. Should have taped those up before he saw them :)

Have you checked out the new T5 fixtures? They're great and use less energy than other types of lighting.

[jobob]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15486&N=2004+113352
I have something like this but its a retro fit kit from hellolights.com. http://hellolights.com/361xhqimeha21.html
The t-5 are much better as actinic sup. than power compacts. I do have one of these http://www.aquariumlight.com/product_info.php?dbid=233
and I am pretty sure they are up in canada.

[katpurdy]

aquarium lights is out of business...I think...i can't reach them. I had the T5 HO(helio's) and replaced them with the VHO, i just found that the T5's were too dimm.....are you pleased with the HQI bulbs? have you used SE bulbs before?

[jobob]

I bought my lights from aquarium lights about 2 yrs ago, but they still have their web site up? Weird? Did the Helios you had have ind. reflectors. They make the world of difference if you didnt have them. A lot of people say that VHO actinic are the best to supplment with, but I just wanted to try out t-5's. I had 2x175w SE with mag ballast and every set of bulbs I got one was different color than the other one. So thats why I got 2x250 DE with ice cap ballast, and wow want a difference. The bulbs are the exact same color, and the same brightness. If I had to do it again I would have still gotten DE. It seems that more and more companies are switching to DE. I definitely like DE over SE. They are a lot smaller and since I have a 55g I only have 13in so space is limited.

[katpurdy]

13 inches of space? front to back? I have a 55 too but it is tall...36x18front to back and 20 high. i think that I will end up with the PFO fixture for 2 MH's and 2 VHO's....there is a store in another province that I buy from and he might get me into the DE from the SE that I currently use, but I really don't want to go back to T5's....I have the helios that have individual reflectors...still didn't like them

[CarlC]

Have you priced out any of the Current Brand lights from Big Al's?

Carl

[jobob]

13in wide its 48 long. Yea most people like VHO actinics. I would definitely try to get DE,

[DarthBaiter]

Current usa's outer orbit pro.
It's 2 250w MH with 4 T5 actinics. I love mine.
Do a search on google and you should find good prices.