Power Compact For Planted Tank

[RRasco]

i am going to soon design and assemble a hood for my soon to be planted tank, i want to install high wattage power compact lights in the hood but am having probelms finding what i am looking for. the setup will be for a 55 gallon, and i am looking to get atleast 3W/Gallon, so 165W+, probably looking at getting 2x96W. i was wondering what/how i should set this up, should i get a retro kit for like $200+ dollars, or is it alot cheaper to get the ballast, end caps, and then the lamps. i cannot find anywhere that carries everything for DIY. if i can find a kit for less than $150 i would probably get it since i reallly dont want to have to learn how to wire up ballasts and what not. what are your suggestions? if i do wire it up myself, should i mount the ballast outside the hood, say under the cabinet to keep it from humidity? im new to the lighting concepts and dearly need some guidance. thanks in advance guys.

 

[skiltrip]

for my 30" tank, i bought one of those Coralife dual bulb Aqualight compact fluorescent fixtures (a total of 130watts). 24" wide. i built a custom hood for the tank that houses the Coralife on top, the fixture is probably 4" or 5" off the surface of the water, and has it's own acrylic shield over the bulbs, so there's no need for any extra shielding, glass etc.

if you're interested i'll send you pics so you have a better idea of what it's like.

 

[RRasco]

how much did they run you? i need atleast 165W minimum, i want 3W/Gallon. i found a 2x96 for $115, without bulbs, but have been told the quality is awesome.

 

[skiltrip]

you can get a 48" 130watt light for under 120 bucks on ebay.

http/cgi.ebay.com/48-Freshwater-Aqualigh...1QQcmdZViewItem
for example

the lights are pretty awesome. right out of the box, you have a super nice light with cooling fans, etc.
i love mine. and my bulbs last me about 3 yrs before they go, and that's being on 12 hours a day.

 

[confusion]

I just saw this: http/www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageA...&ProdID=13&HS=1

It's a 260W 48" light for $90. No experience with the retailer, but that 's a heck of a price and enough light to make your fish go blind - almost 5wpg for a 55g tank!

 

[RRasco]

thats really cheap, ony problem is i am building a hood to house the fixtures, and i dont think that kind of light can fit inside a hood.

the only problem is i have heard really really bad things about the Odyssea fixtures.

 

[skiltrip]

the Coralife Aqualight fixtures work very well when building a custom hood.

The top of my hood has a rectangle cut out about a 1/4" smaller in all directions then the actual size of the light fixture. Then there is trim assembled around, and the light sits inside. no light escapes, and also keeps the light up off the water surface so it doesn't affect the water temp or risk water damage to the fixture either.

 

[RRasco]

i am actually looking at getting this setup:

http/www.ahsupply.com/96watt.htm

i have asked around and been told they are VERY good quality. and at that price, im sold.