Burks
Toledo Reefer
I'm trying to get back into the hobby again after being out for almost 4 years. I have a spare 65g drilled tank I'd like to use. My goal is to keep mainly soft corals with a few scattered LPS (mainly lower light ones). Things like zoanthids, leathers, Acans up top, etc. Not looking to do SPS YET until I can make sure I'll stay in the reef hobby and keep things up to my standards again. Rather not waste the cash.
Now I already do have a 250w DE MH setup sitting here just collecting dust. If need be, I could always use it. I do realize the spread is going to suck and the middle brace isn't going to help at all. Could probably sell it for at least $125 if needed, since the e-ballast is practically brand new. May even have a 175w SE sitting around too, just have to find my reflector.
My concern is keeping my total lighting costs under $250, preferably under $200 if possible.
If I were to use a combo of T5HO and LED, what would you recommend? A friend has some IceCap retrofit kits he is getting rid of (read: cheap), both in 24 and 36" lengths. I'd really like to do LED's of some sort just because of the electric savings and not having to replace bulbs every 6 months to a 2 years (depending on MH or T5HO). Could I do a full LED setup? I'm not electrician, but could figure it out (I've read threads here and there regarding LED's back from like 2009 or so).
I'm open to ideas here. I've kept SPS in the past, but I just have no "want" to keep them now.
The rest of the system has been decided, so I'm just plain stuck on lighting!
Now I already do have a 250w DE MH setup sitting here just collecting dust. If need be, I could always use it. I do realize the spread is going to suck and the middle brace isn't going to help at all. Could probably sell it for at least $125 if needed, since the e-ballast is practically brand new. May even have a 175w SE sitting around too, just have to find my reflector.
My concern is keeping my total lighting costs under $250, preferably under $200 if possible.
If I were to use a combo of T5HO and LED, what would you recommend? A friend has some IceCap retrofit kits he is getting rid of (read: cheap), both in 24 and 36" lengths. I'd really like to do LED's of some sort just because of the electric savings and not having to replace bulbs every 6 months to a 2 years (depending on MH or T5HO). Could I do a full LED setup? I'm not electrician, but could figure it out (I've read threads here and there regarding LED's back from like 2009 or so).
I'm open to ideas here. I've kept SPS in the past, but I just have no "want" to keep them now.
The rest of the system has been decided, so I'm just plain stuck on lighting!
