150 Gal will be showing up tomorrow!!!! What lights????

[jojo22]

What should I do for lighting. I tried looking up retro kits and doing it cheap but it ended up costing me more than a Fixture!!! So what I want is at least 3 HQI MH lights of at least 250W. I also want 2 or four VHO acintics. If you guys could help me find pieces parts at good prices I would be very thankful. I would like to keep it as cheap as possible but not have junk.

Thank you,

Joe

[Reptoreef]

What are the dimensions??? Figure 1 250 watt halide(10k to 12k) per every 2 feet with great quality reflectors. As for actinics, I recommend using only one or 2 covering the full length of the tank(to the rear of the tank) and 1 to 2 daylight whites(to the front for the same purpose). Actinics come on, followed later by the other suppliments an hour or so later. As far as the halides, it's really a waste to run them any more than 4n to 6 hours per day due to the time actually needed for true photosynthesis by the corals. At the downside of the light cycle, run the suppliment white and blues for another about equal amount of time as what they began at before the halides only in reverse. Viola... You have what you need for viewing your tank, less electricity used, longer life on the halides, and a more "natural" dusk to dawn effect. All just my opinion, though.

[jojo22]

Sounds good to me now where does everyone get their diy parts???? I tried Marine Depot put building a system cost more than buying one premade??? I know the tank is 6 foot long haven't taken any others but I would say it is 24 inches front to back

[hummer]

wow jojo that is kicken ...let me pick it up for you ...hehe can i borow it for a decade or two ...lol lol cool find ...congrats

[Reptoreef]

It would probably be 18 to 24 inches deep, so three halides with suppliments should get you covered quite well.

[jojo22]

Thanks. Any ideas for places to get parts for a good price.

[Reptoreef]

Ebay...

[jojo22]

I tried but all the lights I could find where for warehouses and whatnot no aquariums but I'll try some different terms.

[jojo22]

What do you guys think of this???
http://cgi.ebay.com/72-Metal-Halide-...QQcmdZViewItem

[hummer]

awsome hit buy now........ship that puppy