My New MH/VHO Lighting System

[Andy]

Well, I'm pretty excited about my new lighting system for my 280 gallon reef. I've been lighting this reef with 6 VHO fluorescents for the last year and a half and haven't been all that satisfied with the colours of my sps corals. I get great growth with the VHOs but so so colours. I'd gladly trade off growth for colour. My new lighting setup is completely DIY. Many thanks go out to a couple of people. You both know who you are. I've decided to go with three 400 watt Radiums and two five foot VHO actinics for early morning and late night viewing. The lighting is mounted on a polished stainless steel reflector which I am told will never rust. Something about the impecable quality of the stainless steel. The ballast box is custom built and contains 3 son agro 430 watt HPS ballasts. The ballast box is cooled with an internal fan. Two of the ballasts are hooked up to one plug and the third to a second plug for staggered on/off lighting. I'll be plugging each plug into separate 15 amp circuits. The ballast box also contains an internal timer. Can't wait to get it mounted into my hood. The VHO setup will be sold once I'm convinced this is the lighting setup for me. Something tells me I won't be looking back. I've attached a few pics of the lighting and ballast box. I felt like I needed a welders mask when I took the shot with the MH lights on. I wonder what kind of heat I'm gonna generate. Hope my Ice-Cap fans can keep up. I'll post more pics once the lighting system is fully installed.:dance:

[Andy]

Reflector with lights off.

[Andy]

Reflector with MH lights on. Note the bluish colour of the radiums.

[IJO]

That looks awesome Andy... I'm interested in seeing how this light setup will look over your aquarium. :thumbsup:

IJO

[Kenzy]

Looks great Andy! I doubt you'll be disappointed.

[craig]

:bigeek:Looks really good. How much did it cost to make?and where did you get the parts? I'm starting to set up my 130 gallon and cant decide on MH or VHO's-craig

[Andy]

Thanks Craig. It cost $570 for the ballast box, timer, fan, 3 ballasts, wiring, reflector, Ice Cap end caps, mogul sockets and wiring harnesses. Add to that the cost of 3 400 watt radiums, 2 URI VHOs and an Ice Cap ballast all of which I already have and you're well over $1000. Still a great savings.

[Sohal Tang]

Andy, the radiums kick butt obviously!
Very nice blue...I love what the spectrum does to a tank....some prefer less of it...I prefer MORE of it!

EXCELLENT CHOICE OBVIOUSLY!

I LIKE THE PART ABOUT THE *** s a v i n g s ***8 HAHAHAOHOHOHOAHOAHOAHOAH

YA CRACK ME UP!

Anyone who want to SAVE money AINT IN REEFIN!! HAHAHAOHOHOA

jUST RAZIN YA....I believe the price was RIGHT lets just leave it at that shall we hahahaha

Very, very nice job..... Your old system of VHOs were not too shabby also!

the radiums RULE!!!!!;)