Needs options for lighting on a budget

Hello. I am a newbie. I have purchased almost all I can afford for now on my 46g tank. I want to be able to add corals that require good lighting. my lfs has 36" strips for $250-$300. Was wondering if I can find decent lighting for a lower price? if so where? thanks a bunch.

 

look for T5 HO retrofit kits... do you have a canopy? you could also check out fishneedit.com they have great deals

 

like patrick mentioned, retro kits are going to be your best bang for the buck if you can build a canopy of your own or have some form of aluminum housing you can mount them in..

i too have been researching lighting lately. so far the even better deal than retrokits... used items from craigslist. i just saw a guy had two metal halide 150W kits in my area for $100. check that site out and see if anyones got anything worth looking at

 

K+ for CL

 

Craigslist is ways a reefers friend

 

I'd buy used. I have researched doing retrofit kits myself... while I am not intimidated by DIY projects, I found that the price just didn't justify the means. You will barely save money, and the amount of time spend DIY'ing is not worth the effort, in my opinion, unless you're just looking for another project (I can never find enough time in the day).

I picked up a used 6x54W fixture for less than what you're stating above, so it can be done... ask your LFS if they have a list of customers who are selling their used gear... The sooner they have you with a light, the sooner they can sell you other things like corals, etc.

 

try ebay. this is probly not the best quallity light, but for $250 shipped its a 250w MH with 4 t5 actinics

36'' Metal Halide 250 T5 HO Aquarium Reef light NIB NEW - eBay (item 170444146927 end time Feb-19-10 10:51:46 PST)

at the very least get a 4x39 watt t5h0 fixture.. if you dont want to go MH combo route..

 

I got a set of grow lights from a hydroponics store....4- t5 ballasts and reflector cost me $60 and came with 10000k bulbs. i also needed some cheap lighting and it works great so far for me

 

Craigslist!!!!!!!!!

 

I have one of these on my 55 gal. They adjust both side to side and up and down. You could use 2 double bulb fixtures. This site has them on special; Aquarium Lighting for Planted & Reef Aquariums: Hagen GLO T5 HO Linear Fluorescent Fixtures When you add to your cart they are $108.00 each.