suggestions on a MH/T-5/VHO hood fixture

[drew22to375]

Ok after all of the responses on my other t-5 thread I have decided to go with MH. But I would prefer a complete hood fixture with 3 - 250w MH with either t-5 or VHO actinic supplimentation. But after looking around I find you are very limited on 72" fixtures. Most of the fixtures look, umm well somewhat to be desired. Here is one that is similar to what I am wanting but I don't know if it has decent reflectors ect. Can anybody comment on this one or suggestions on another one.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AQ1851

Thankx Drew..

[Horace]

Is a hood/retro out of the question? Your going to drop a ton more cash on a fixture for sure.

[brad23]

Go retro, save your self 3-$400

[drew22to375]

Well I like the cleaner look of the hoods. Where are you guys getting your retos from I've priced from reefgeek, marine depot, premium Aquatics and it is still going to run me around $1,000 for the retros. The hood I want runs $1,100. I don't see that much of a price difference to go with the retros.

Drew..

[cioutlaw]

Not sure how set you are on t-5s & such but this guy kamtonica@mchsi.com has a Coralife 72" HQI Pro with 3 250MH forsale. I think it was only a few weeks old & the price was right. around $600 something if I remember right. I saw it advretised & e-mailed him but dont recall where i saw it.

[brad23]

Ocean encounter, you can get 3 250w MH for $500

[Yodeling]

you can get 3x250W retro for like $500

Personally, I would get individual ballasts and the LA3 reflectors. It will cost about the same as the fixture you're considering, but your lighting quality would be on a whole another level.

And they don't look bad either:
http://www.acquaportal.it/ARTICOLI/MadeInItaly/AcquariMarino/alexalbe/images/DSC07172.jpg

[drew22to375]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6954787#post6954787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yodeling
you can get 3x250W retro for like $500

Personally, I would get individual ballasts and the LA3 reflectors. It will cost about the same as the fixture you're considering, but your lighting quality would be on a whole another level.

And they don't look bad either:
http://www.acquaportal.it/ARTICOLI/MadeInItaly/AcquariMarino/alexalbe/images/DSC07172.jpg

That is sweet looking. who sells those reflectors. What kind of bulbs are you running on that tank. that looks nice.

Drew..

[Audrey]

WOW! That picture is great! What brand of bulbs are you using? Why do you suggest a seperate ballast retro setup vs a complete hood?

Audrey

[Yodeling]

No sorry this is not my tank, I wish. I was just posting a picture to give an idea of the reflectors. This is what my tank would look like if I wasn't married. :lol:

The tank is Italian TOTM. He uses EVC 10k bulbs. Here's the link:click me (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=586367&perpage=25&pagenumber=1)

The reflectors can be purchased here: http://www.pacificgardensupply.com/proddetail.asp?prod=L3&cat=2

[brad23]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6954787#post6954787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yodeling
you can get 3x250W retro for like $500

Personally, I would get individual ballasts and the LA3 reflectors. It will cost about the same as the fixture you're considering, but your lighting quality would be on a whole another level.

And they don't look bad either:
http://www.acquaportal.it/ARTICOLI/MadeInItaly/AcquariMarino/alexalbe/images/DSC07172.jpg

That has to be one of the nicest tanks I've ever seen.

[Horace]

Definitely a super nice SPS tank there. Those are luminarc reflectors. They are the best you can get for halides. You will pay BIG TIME for them though. I think they are like $300/ea???

[Yodeling]

No man the LA3s are just $130. In this hobby that's pennies ;)

[Horace]

Actually $130 isnt THAT bad, but when you consider you can get the cheap ones for like $20...lol that aint cheap either lol.

[saltyseaman]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=765259

[brad23]

I think you can get those reflectors for $100 now.