can I do this???`

nemo79 · 11-30-2006, 08:13 AM

I have the coralife power compact lighting with 2x65 watt which is only 130watts and that 's not enough light for corals. I am not looking at buying a whole new fixture as I just got this one. I was thinking of adding to it. This is my idea.

I was thinking of getting the industrial shop lights at home depot. The regular fluorescents that you see in shops. It would have 2 x 40watt 6500k bulbs that are 48" in length. I was thinking of buying the same legs you use for the pc fixtures and attaching it to the shop fixture and putting it right next to the pc fixture. They sell tube covers so I'm not worried about the salt spray but I was wondering about the weight on the tank. Would it be able to support it all? My husband thinks so because if I had purchased the coralife with the 4 bulbs it would probably weigh the same?

If I do this my total wattage would be 210 instead if 130watts. I am unable to purchase any expensive fixtures at this time and I really prefer the look of fluorescents.

Would this work or can anyone give me any suggestions? thanks so much.

Jason McKenzie · 11-30-2006, 08:19 AM

Yes your tank will take the weight. What corals are you thinking of keeping?

J

Malachi · 11-30-2006, 08:20 AM

did you look at ebay. throw in a T5HO fixture would be good. I just sold a 36" with (4) T5HO fixture for $100 on ebay. even had moon lights. so every once in while you can get lucky. I am not a light expert, so i am not sure if industrial lights would work. I would really research that one.

nemo79 · 11-30-2006, 10:13 AM

The Fixture Is Industrial But The Bulbs Are No Fluorescents Same Ol Fluorescents As Any Other, The Bubls Would Be T8 Or T12. I Really Only Plan On The Basic Corals Nothing To Hard To Keep And No Clams, Acropora Or Monti's. I Guess Mostly Softies And Lps. I Just Want More Wattage So My Corals Thrive Not Just Survive. I Would Think It Wouldn't Be A Problem I Know Big Al's Here Uses Similar Lighting On There Tanks. I Would Love To Buy From Ebay But To Ship That Type Of Product Would Cost Way Too Much. The Route I Would Be Going Would Cost Me $30.00.

Tangster · 11-30-2006, 02:09 PM

Why not just buy or build a set of VHO's ? There are far better electronic ballast then Ice crap froma a real electricial supply house. Last set og VHO's I put together for a store sign 4 bulb was like 180.00 Hell a Magnatec tar ballast that will run 4 cost about 40.00 plus caps another 40.00 wire 10.00 heat shrinks 2.00

coral reefer · 11-30-2006, 05:14 PM

If I were you, I would hold off on the lights from Home Depot!!!! The bulb is not a good representation of a FULL-SPECTRUM bulb!!! It will come across as very yellow/red/white coloration. It will not bring out the vibrant colors of your corals especially, nor offer them the full wavelength of color.
That particular bulb will spur the growth of microalgae as well due to the red end of the spectrum.
I would save my money and wait til I was able to get the right bulb/lighting fixture and not cut corners for the benefit of your corals!
Again, this is my opinion as I wouldn't try to cut corners with quite possibly the most important piece of equipment for a reef tank(followed by a powerful protein skimmer)!
Stick with atleast a 10000k bulb or higher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nemo79 · 12-01-2006, 08:08 AM

actually I was at the LFS and they use the same fixtures as I am talking about but with real bulbs made for aquariums such as powerglo and marine glo which are 40 watts and I believe 18000k (it could have been 10). The bulbs are a little more in price but I don't care about that.

Tangster · 12-01-2006, 09:00 AM

Fish stores just move livestock through they seldom keep them look at a display tank if they have one see whats on that for a lighting system..