Best bang for my buck? Lighting

[Zebvance]

Im looking into some new lights for my 240 for xmas. Right now I have 2 48" double bulb t12 VHO's each bulb running 40 watts so 160 watts total. It is barely enough light to see new growth coming from the hair grass in there. I dont want the lights for plants cause I dont plan on putting anymore in the tank. Just want more to see the fish better, and the bottom of the tank. So my question is what is the best bang for my buck. I would like to not go over 300 dollars if possible. and I would like to get at least around 500 watts total on the whole tank. Im looking for a cheap pair of 48" lights with the most wattage for 150 a piece. After I get the new lights I would like to sell the old ones, can somebody tell me what would be a good price to ask for them. I am attaching a pic of the light I currently have and then a pic of the tank.

Oh and I have a coralife t5 fixture on my 46 gallon and I like the look of with with the legs on it. something else like that would be nice.


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[OrandaMan]

I got a secret for ya... you can make your own very damn cheap. In fact, you can get everything you need from the dollar store. I know they have just about all of it at my local King Dollar.

When you get to the dollar store, look for two things: those little garage light fixtures and some of those 24 watt power compact fluorescent bulbs that go in regular sockets. The fixtures are the kinds that have a little outlet, a socket and a small chain to turn them on. You get as many of those as will fit in your hood with about an inch between them. Then head to the hardware store. Get as many 12 or 15 inch male to male connectors as needed. I suggest chaining only about four together at a time. You'll need more extension cords coming out of the hoods, but you're less likely to short that way and the bulbs will last longer. Also get a correctly sized sheet of aluminum that's been finished to a shine for a reflector. Also get as many extension cords as you need. (You might want to get another surge protector for the whole thing, as well.) You will, of course, need some kind of fasteners to hold the lights to the hood, but you can ask an employee about what you'll need for that when you explain what you're doing. You can also look into a couple of small fans (if you can find a way to use computer system fans, you can get them really cheap from Fry's or Microcenter) and attach one to each side, one blowing inward and one blowing outward, with some holes drilled in the sides (even better if you cut a square out of each side and put in some metal grates like you'll find on your computer case).

If you want some cheap alternatives, here are two things I've gotten recently that have REALLY done some great work on my 29 gallon tank:

• T5 HO water resistant strip light
  Notice that it says water resistant, not water proof. You can attach it to the underside of your canopy, but make sure that it's secure enough to not fall into the water. And you can always get two, as well. They're very narrow - only slightly wider than the bulb itself.
  

  http://www.marineandreef.com/T5_Retrofits_Sunlight_Supply_Sun_Blaze_T5_HO_s/575.htm

  
  Note that the 48 inch is 54 watts. But, a T5 HO lamp gives more lighting for less wattage.
• Inexpensive power compact fixture
  I actually got a 24 inch (also for my 29 gallon), but was VERY surprised at the quality. Combined with the strip light, my plants, including dwarf hairgrass, have been growing like a wildfire.
  

  http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog/Lighting/Power-Compact-Systems/48-57-Power-Compact-Fixtures/Jalli-48-inch-220-4-x-55-watt-Power-Compact-bulb-fixture-for-German-style-straight-pin-bulbs/

  
  That one is the same brand as I got. It's $189.
  

  http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog/Lighting/Power-Compact-Systems/48-57-Power-Compact-Fixtures/Hamilton-48-Inch-4x65-Watt-Power-Compact-Retrofit/

  
  This one has slightly more wattage at $209. It comes with two actinic blue bulbs, but perhaps you could ask them if they could replace them for free. If not, you'll have to buy two more. Or, of course, just deal with the actinic. It's properties might even help the tank a little. Well, I'd replace at least one of them.

Is that what you're looking for?

[Zebvance]

Thanks for all the info you gave me!

I actually did some more research on the lights I had and it turns out I already have all the light I need. I have VHO lighting but did not understand how it worked. My lights are capable of having 110 watt bulbs in them and I didnt realize it. I just had regular t-12 40 watt bulbs in them. So just changing the bulbs out is going to get me from 160 watts of normal output to 440 watts of VHO. So Im tracking down some bulbs right now but I am going to have to install some fans to the box I mad to deal with the heat. So the lights will hold me over for a while, but I still want to eventually upgrade to some nicer fixtures Like a set of 48 inch 4 bulb HO t-5 coralife or Nova fixtures.

[OrandaMan]

Awesome. Glad you could save so much money.

[TaTeR ToT]

Hey ill post a video of my 90g I payed $25 at IKEA for 2 of them and the lighting they give off is so natural.