• Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.

Lighting QUESTION

L

Lord Viper

Hey guys and gals I have a sign I bought new for my business yrs ago and never used it. One option is to sell it. But I was thinking (quite dangerous I know) but can I use this for my tank lighting on my 265 build. there HO and commercial grade ballasts with 28" lamps but the unit is 6 foot long. even If I tore it down and made a new fixture for it. Do you think this would work. Bobb http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/LordViper743/Ballast.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/LordViper743/Signfull.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/LordViper743/Mountsection.jpg
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

+1 for waterproof endcaps.

I would also check the kelvin on the bulbs. They maybe lower than 6500K (not sure if that's even possible), but I doubt it would look good even at 6500K.
 
D

DaveK

You could use it, in that it would work, but I would consider it a poor choice.

First, you'd want to replace the bulbs with bulbs more suited for a reef system. You also want to use waterproof end caps.

Second, the ballasts are coil and core. This consume about 1 1/2 time the power of an electronic ballast such as an Ice Cap. The cost savings in electricity will pay for the electronic ballasts in a couple of years.

Third, you are setting up a 265 gal tank, and depending upon your plans, fluorescent lighting may not be enough. For example if you want SPS corals, you might need MH lighting.

Bottom line, you'll be spending a bundle on setting up the tank. Don't limit your system by using lighting that isn't really geared to a reef system.

All this assumes you want a reef system, and not a FO system, where lighting can be limited and the system still be fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top