How much would you pay for 8x55w PC's?

[Tybond]

I have a chance to pick up a set of lights from a guy and he wants 800.00 OBO.

His lights are 8x55w pc's.
The bulbs are:
2 x 55w 10000k
2 x 55w 6700k
2 x 55w act 03's
2 x 55w 50/50 10000k and act 03

All lights are brand new still in the boxes and are the german style 4 pin straight base bulbs.

The setup is comprised of 4 ballasts that are remotley mounted in an aluminum inclosure with 6' cords and each ballast is independanly switched in order to allow for sunrise sunset cycle. Each ballast runs 2 bulbs so 4 variations are possible.
He says he will throw in two 4" 110v fans and a 48" reflector to make this a complete retrofit kit.

What would be a fair price to give?

I'v checked the bulbs and Lampsnow carries each one listed and it would cost 216.60 before tax and shipping.
thanks
ty

 

[KanUCme]

well you can buy one 4X55 watt PC at retail at my LFS for $358. So $358 X 2 = $716.
If you were to buy two 4X55w PC retros I am sure my LFS would give you 10% off. So $716 - $71.60 = $644.40. I would offer $600. Depending on the brand. Is it a retro or a complete hood?

 

[Canada_Dry]

I just bought a 4x 55 pc from AH supply
you can get a 8x 55 kit for $249.00 and the bulbs run $26.00/each X8 =$208.00 so the total for kit and bulbs would be $457.00 brand new. I orderd the 4x 55 kit and the shipping to TN was only $14.00, so add about $20.00 for shipping you could get it for $477.00, I would offer him max $400.00 maybe $500.00 if they come in a hood. As far as fans go you can pick them up for $15.00
here is a link to the kits: http://ahsupply.com/36,40,or.htm

Canada_Dry

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Canada_Dry ]</p>

 

[Tybond]

Thanks for the replys guys!

canada..That link helped a lot!!

Hows the tank coming?

THX
ty

 

[Canada_Dry]

Just thought I would give you another cheaper and better way to get as much watage for your dolar and have a well rounded light system. This is how I did my lighting on my 65g tank.

I am making my hood right now for a 65g tank. (18 inches wide by 4 feet long) , I used 1x6 and 1x4 and 2x2 pine. (my stand is pine) with several coats of high quality floor grade clear coat.(for water/salt protection.

For the lighting I used :

2 55 watt 10000K daylight compact fluorescents (with reflectors)
2 55 Watt Actinic Blue compact fluorescents (with reflectors)
2 40 Watt 48" 50/50 NO Coralife fluorescents (with reflectors)
For a total of 300 watts.

Since my tank is 48 inches long, I centered the 2 40 Watt 48" 50/50 NO Coralife fluorescents in my hood, they run the full length of my tank.

I set the 2 55 Watt Actinic Blue compact fluorescents towards the back of the hood, one on each side.

And I set the 2 55 watt 10000K daylight compact fluorescents towards the front of the hood, one on each side.

I also added a small fan for cooling.

It looks like this:

-------------------------- --------------------------
55 watt Actinic Blue 55 watt Actinic Blue
-------------------------- --------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
40 Watt 48" 50/50
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
40 Watt 48" 50/50
----------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- --------------------------
55 watt daylight 55 watt daylight
-------------------------- ---------------------------

I Got the compact fluorescents kits and the bulbs from A H Supply http://ahsupply.com/index.html
the kit was $124.99
and the 55 Watt bulbs were $26.00 each. Total=$104.00
for the 48" 50/50 I used a standard light strip from Lowes http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=77738-338-1234
The Strip cost $7.45
and I bought the 50/50 NO Coralife fluorescents bulbs from That Fish Place for $22.99 Total $45.98
Total cost for set up:
$282.42
Plus $14.00 for shipping
wood for hood about $25.00
Cooling fan $9.00 at a surplus store.
GRAND TOTAL $330.42

Plus when you order the kits from AH Supply, they also send you free plans to build a hood.

It really lights up a 65g tank nice. Hope that gives you a few ideas to work with.
Canada_Dry

 

[Tybond]

Sounds good canada,
I was a poster on your set up q a few days ago about the DSB.

Good luck with it!
ty

 

[Canada_Dry]

Yes I rember and thanks for the advice it helped me a great deal, it was your advice that made me add the 2 extra 40 watt 50/50 lamps to my hood. hope the lighting info can return the favor! thanks again, Canada_dry. Oh BTW..i just picked up the sand and base rock today...getting colser to set up time...can't wait!

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Canada_Dry ]

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Canada_Dry ]</p>

 

[Tybond]

Did they have the Southdown?
ty

 

[Canada_Dry]

Nope I went with Carib Sea Aragonite and sugar size and 1 bag of Carib Sea Famingo Reff (slightly larger size) cost a few bucks but oh well.... tahts life in the salt lane...

Just one other comment to make, when i ordered from AH supply the service was outstanding, the kits came extremly well packed in several layers of buble rap and stryo foam these guys shipped fast and i had it in 3 days, they put a great deal of care in there shipping, you wont be disapointed.
Just thought i would let you know.

Canada_Dry

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Canada_Dry ]</p>

 

[jchonline]

I bought a 4 x 55W PC from AH Supply when I built my DIY hood a month or so ago. Great kit. I agree with Canada. If you want PC, AH Supply is a good buy. IMHO

 

[Tybond]

Thanks for the added info.

I am running 8x55 on my 55g now but I got extremely lucky on my lighting when I set it up last year.

My company that I work for had an office sale and I picked up some office lighting that was Power Compact based and just had to swith bulbs and build a hood.

The fixtures were able to run 2x55w pc's so I got a enough for 8x55 plus a "few" extra.
I paid 3.00 a fixture plus bulbs.

Won't see that again but darn happy I hit it then.
Canada, Heres a pic of the 55. Its now 1yr old and running the 8x55.

Like I said, I needed to build a hood and with the money I saved, I figured I needed to build a stand while I was at it.

Good luck and thanks again!
ty

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Tybond ]</p>

 

[Canada_Dry]

Great looking set up! very similar to my tank, when I get it done...great job on that stand!
Where are you located? any where near Chattanooga?
thats where I am, only been here about 11 months or so, moved here from Ontario Canada.

Canada_Dry

 

[Canada_Dry]

Did you put your sump in the bottom and refuge? in the top, or how did you do it?

Canada_dry

 

[Tybond]

I live in Indiana. About 60m west of Indianapolis on I-70.
Been stuck here since breathing first breath.
Got lucky on the whole reef thing though.
Inland aquatics is only a few miles drive from my house so it has always been my LFS of choice. No petco crap to deal with

If your ever up this way, check out their store.
ty

 

[Tybond]

you posted while I was typing that last thread.

I don't run a sump.
I have a cpr Hang On refugium and a 5 gallon surge tank built in abouv the tank. Thats why the hood is tall and stair stepped. I have a 7gal storage tank behind the stand yhat I fill once a week with RO/DI for top off.
ty

 

[Canada_Dry]

Cool where did you get the hang on refugium? How much did it cost? do you like it or would you have rather went with a sep tank for it? i havent decided wich way to go on that yet.

 

[StirCrazy]

Hey, could one of you who have bought the AHsupply Bright Kit do me a favour and do a measurment of the end profile for me. I got a hold of some spectral alumium and I want to try make a simular type of reflector.
this picture shows the measurments I need.

doesent matter if it is in inches or metric I can work with them both..

thanks

Steve

 

[Canada_Dry]

Sure I will do the measurments right now..and edit this post when I am done.

Canada_dry


OK the measurments are:
A= 1 inch
B= 1 inch
C= 1 1/2 inches
D= 2 3/4 inches
E= 3 7/8 inches
F= the clips hold the bulb about 1 inch from the reflector.

Hope that helps.
Canada_dry

[ February 17, 2002: Message edited by: Canada_Dry ]</p>

 

[StirCrazy]

Canada_Dry
Thanks they will be a big help..

Steve

 

[Tybond]

I ordered my refugium from Inland Reef.
It's CPR's smallest Aquafuge HO Refugium.
I had to go with the smallest do to space limits left by my skimmer and the surge tank But I am pleased with it.
I would recommend going with at least the middle sized one though. The small doesn't give you a lot of room but does what its advertized for doing and has been a 0 problem device other that me replacing the rio 600 with a maxi jet 1200 for a little more flow.

I do wish I would have went with a 10g tank above though. Could have save a few bucks.
I think the small CPR is about 105.00

Later
ty