From: ron@minnow.sp.unisys.com (Ron Burns)
Subject: [M][R]   Lights
Reply-To: ron@minnow.UUCP (Ron Burns)
Organization: Unisys Corporation
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 20:37:56 GMT

OKAY, OKAY, OK, OK, Ok, Ok, ok, ok!

I can't figure it out!  My problem boils down to the fact that I don't
want to spend the the kind of money I wish I could on lighting.

I've been told that Metal Halides 5500K plus Actinic 03 are THE best way to go.

I've been told that UltraLume 6500K's are THE best way to go.

I've been told that 4 VHO 50/50 are an excellent way to go.

I've been told that 72" VHO daylight bulbs ($17) are rated for 10,000 hours.
(that's around 1700 starts)

I've been told that 72" VHO reef 50/50's ($35) must be replaced every 6 months.
      (that's about 1800 hours, or 180 starts.  Hmmmm...)

I've been told that MH's need replacing about 1.5 years or so.

I've been told that spectrum is more important than intensity, and this guy
suggested 6 different 48" flourescents in a staggered fixture. (Actinic 03,
Coralife 50/50, Triton, Aquarilux, Primatinic, Powerglo.  one each)

I've found 175w Std base MH's for $42, ballasts for $40.  3700 degrees K
color temp, not the 5400 or 5500K in the aquarium ads.

5500K 175W MH
-------------
$68  -  bulb
$117 -  mount, ballast, cord
$218 -  above plus 2'x 2' reflector. (that's $33 for a sheet of aluminum)
replace bulb every 1.5 years

6000K VHO 50/50 72"
-------------------
$35  -  bulb
$70  -  ballast $75 3 bulb ballast
$10  -  endcaps
$10  -  cords, etc
replace bulb every .5 years

Std 48" Actinic 03
------------------
$15  -  bulb
$10  -  cheapo ballast, cords from shoplight
$10  -  endcaps
replace bulb every 1.0 years

Std 48" reef types 
------------------
$25  -  bulb
$10  -  cheapo ballast, cords from shoplight
$10  -  endcaps
replace bulb every 0.5 years

These costs are VERY approximate, include no inflation, etc...
Cost of lighting only.  NO hood, canopy or reflectors included.
Cost difference for electricity consumption not included. (I have no data
on efficiency for lamps or ballasts)

Configuration A:
3 MH, 2 actinic
3*68 + 3*117 + 2*15 + 2*10 + 10 = $615
5 year cost 615 + 8*15 + 9*68 = $1347
10 yr cost 1347 + 10*15 + 9*68 = $2109

Configuration B:
2 MH, 2 actinic
2*68 + 2*117 + 2*15 + 2*10 + 10 = $430
5 year cost 430 + 8*15 + 6*68 = $958
10 yr cost 958 + 10*15 + 6*68 = $1516

Configuration C:
3 VHO 50/50 
3*35 + 75 + 3*10 + 10 = $220       one 3 bulb ballast
5 year cost 220 + 27*35 = $1165
10 yr cost 1165 + 30*35 = $2215

Configuration D:
4 VHO 50/50 
4*35 + 2*70 + 4*10 + 10 = $330       two 2 bulb ballast
5 year cost 330 + 36*35 = $1590
10 yr cost 1590 + 40*35 = $2990

Configuration E:
2 VHO 50/50, 1 MH
68 + 117 + 2*35 + 70 + 10 + 10 = $345
5 year cost 345 + 3*68 + 18*35 = $1179
10 year cost 1179 + 3*68 + 20*35 = $2083

Configuration F:
6 48" reef bulbs at ~$25 apiece
6*25 + 6*10 + 3*10 = $240
5 year cost 240 + 54*25 = $1590
10 year cost 1590 + 60*25 = $3090

I figured A and C to be about the same, B and D about the same, E as a
compromise, and F is just plain weird.
The most cost effective over the long term is metal halides.
The most cost effective short long term is VHO.

In 5 years, I'll probably want to change things so drastically  that
that the 10 year figure may be meaningless.

Any one else wanna sway me one way or the other? Or, tell me what you
decided?  Anyone out there using VHOs?

-Ron

-- 
Ron Burns              
Unisys Corporation                                      ...!rosevax!minnow!ron
Phone:(612)635-6927                           minnow%ron@rosevax.rosemount.com
Newsgroups: rec.aquaria,alt.aquaria