NO lights

[mistermikev]

What can you tell me about NO lights? Can I buy a NO setup from menards and run my no bulbs from the lfs in it? Any suggestions on where to find a NO setup to run 2 - 3' bulbs? Thanks in advance

[Reefland]

I can tell you that they are not sufficient to maintain any coral. But beyond that, any setup will work.

[mistermikev]

Yeah, I know. I have a 400w mh and 190w vhos. I am just looking to get that classic actinic "glow" that only comes from nos. So any flourescent fixture that is matched for wattage and length and endcap should work, huh?

[Reefland]

That is correct. However with a 400w halide, I doubt that the NO will do anything at all to supplement the coloration.

[mistermikev]

yeah, I'm looking for a nice dusk look prior to my vho and then mh turning on. I used to have a no fixture on my 30gal that I loved the actinic from. the vho's can't even get close. so I'm thinking two 30w no actinics light up, then 1hr later one act and one 10000k vho light up and then the mh for a nice dawn to dusk and visa versa.

[Reefland]

You can definitely use any flourescent lighting fixture that matches the wattage of the bulbs. You would be better off getting something from teh aquarium industry that is tested around water.

[mistermikev]

hmm, I can't seem to locate any standard flourescent ballasts specifically made for saltwater, any recommendations? Oh well, I am mounting the ballast down in the stand away from evap, and using waterproof t12 caps, so I should be ok anyway.

[Reefland]

The endcaps were the thing I was really concerned with, so if you are using waterproof caps then your good to go.