Lighting help, please.

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Mtgelfman123, May 29, 2011.

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  1. Mtgelfman123

    Mtgelfman123 Astrea Snail

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    Hey everyone I want to light a 15 gal long aquarium about a foot tall I need help upgrading from crappy little incandescent bulbs to T5HO or T8HO so that I can keep corals how much will it cost me and how can I get it cheaper without buying online?
     
    Mtgelfman123, May 29, 2011
    Mtgelfman123, May 29, 2011
    #1

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  2. thepanfish

    thepanfish Flying Squid

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    I've numbered the questions to help you.

    1. T8 is not suited to growing corals, T5 is much better. For that size tank you might even consider LED

    2. Relatively little, a stock 15 is 24X12X12 inches I believe? 105.99 for a good quality 2 bulber. AquaticLife T5 HO Light Link Fixture - Marine

    3. Online seems to be the cheapest.

    Go with a PAR30 from BoostLED.com.
     
    thepanfish, May 29, 2011
    thepanfish, May 29, 2011
    #2
  3. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

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    well how long is the tank and how deep is it? I might have a two bulb t5 that would work for you and would be a cheeper deal that a new one ;D
     
    rc_mcwaters3, May 29, 2011
    rc_mcwaters3, May 29, 2011
    #3
  4. Mtgelfman123

    Mtgelfman123 Astrea Snail

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    Are you offering me a deal? Lol I'm not allowed to buy and sell online *sigh* parents! Jk. Lol! But advice is welcome.;D
     
    Mtgelfman123, May 29, 2011
    Mtgelfman123, May 29, 2011
    #4
  5. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

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    LOL ya it would have been a deal ;D but if you have the money I would do led's if not I would do the t5's just my 2 cents
     
    rc_mcwaters3, May 30, 2011
    rc_mcwaters3, May 30, 2011
    #5
  6. thepanfish

    thepanfish Flying Squid

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    LED is at most 140ish from boosteled.
     
    thepanfish, May 30, 2011
    thepanfish, May 30, 2011
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  7. Mtgelfman123

    Mtgelfman123 Astrea Snail

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    I don't want to go led just yet I don't know what it is but they intimidate me.
     
    Mtgelfman123, May 30, 2011
    Mtgelfman123, May 30, 2011
    #7
  8. bvb-etf-luva

    bvb-etf-luva Banned

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    i think one par30 or par38 would work just fine to grow anything and those run from 70 bucks to 100. cheapest way to go imo. i wouldnt do an entire fixture the par30 seems easiest. it just simply out competes every other form of lighting on a tank that size, a small t5 fixture for that tank would still run around 120, while a metal halide would still be about 250. i would definitely do a par30 from boostled
     
    bvb-etf-luva, May 30, 2011
    bvb-etf-luva, May 30, 2011
    #8
  9. bvb-etf-luva

    bvb-etf-luva Banned

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    umm well, not much help for ya there.lol
     
    bvb-etf-luva, May 30, 2011
    bvb-etf-luva, May 30, 2011
    #9
  10. Mtgelfman123

    Mtgelfman123 Astrea Snail

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    Will basic fluorescent strips that you use in fresh water grow anything?
     
    Mtgelfman123, May 30, 2011
    Mtgelfman123, May 30, 2011
    #10
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