Ballasts.

[Escher]

Bunnings sells packages of 2 single 36w for around $30.

[Al]

Flukes I found i link that might be of help http://www.reefandriver.com.au/powercompacts.htm

They are based in Geelong.

HTH

[flukes]

Thanks mate, great help.

[flukes]

Ok contacted reefandriver.com.au,

Hello,
I am setting up my first reef tank, with metal halides not being an option i was thinking more power compacts. I was just wondering if you have double reflectors in 36' ??
Iam hopefully looking at getting 190watts, i was just wondering what wattage the 36' bulbs are so i can work out how many i need.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

Scott

This was the reply from bruce, who was very helpful might i add...

Scott,
The 36" are available in doubles.
THey house 4 * 36 watt tubes for a total of 144 watts. This is at a cost of $232 + tubes ( around the $100 - 110 mark dependant on choice)
Keep in mind that the tubes are mounted around 1 inch from the water surface instead of the usual 12 inches with halides.

To obtain the 190 watts that you are looking for, you would need to add an extra single reflector, to increase the power output by another 72w
for a total of 216 w.

single 3 footers are $153 + tubes

On selecting halides for a three foot tank my normal suggestion would be to use a 150 watt unit.
A double pwr compact comes awful close to this rating, but the extra ooomph would never go astray.

Hope this helps.
Bruce.

So i am looking at a bitunder $400 for the reflectors, then about another $250-300 for tubes...

[chrissyoscar]

So that's about $700 complete and then you'll have to spend $250-300 on tubes every year.
Expensive but I suppose if that's what you need and you're keen on a salt water setup then what other choice have you got.

[flukes]

Buying MH's would be cheaper but as i said it just wont be possible for this tank. If i could i would, it will be cheaper to buy and cheaper in the long run.

Ahh well maybe ill keep looking..

[chrissyoscar]

Is the only reason you don't want to use MH because you don't want to mount them on the walls or ceiling.
If so have a look at this thread from Boronias DIY site
http://p088.ezboard.com/fboroniaaqua...icID=101.topic

I know you don't want MH but this might be a solution you haven't thought of.

Oscar

[flukes]

Its not just the mounting i dont have the 12inches too work with about the tank..

[chrissyoscar]

Ok no more talk about MH then.

Oscar

[viper224]

Flukes, have a look at this link:

http://www.aquaria.com.au/catalog/in...sort/1a/page/2

The Catalina units might be the one for you. I have bought from this company heaps and am happy.

I wish this'd been available when I custom built my hood - 4x36W fluoros + 2x55W CF - the CFs and associated equipment were available from a lighting store but it wasn't easy to find all the bits I needed.