BC29 150W DE HQI Upgrade

M

Maldivan

Hi All,
I decided that my BC29 lighting wasnt cutting the musturd so i decided to
upgrade it to a 150W DE HQI. Ive read the $50 Upgrade and I wasnt comfortable with the materials they were using so I waited for a good deal to come up on the board on a pendant. I bought a hamilton pendant off another member for $150 and Thats almost 1/2 what they are new. The reason I wanted anamed Brand is the ballast /socket/light assy are matched and theres no need to do extensive wiring etc. I took some pics along the way so if anyone else that has a BC29 etc that wants to upgrade they will have an Idea how to do it. I did make sure to move the actinics over to the active fan switch so ill have airflow through the fixture. From start to finish it took me about 3 hours. I had to completely disassemble the unit after I built it becuase I noticed I had the grd wire on top of the heat shield and I wanted to hide it Under the heat shield. UGH! That tacked on about 20 mins. Other than that its a very simple upgrade. Just make sure you cut out the window in your Plastic Cover and add some glass for UV protection. Any Glass will do. I didnt have any laying around then I thought ...heyyyyyy I have some spare Picture frames that Im not using.. BINGO free glass! If you need any help let me know and Ill be glad to assist in anyway!!
 
My concerns with doing the upgrades will be the temperature; have you found this to be an issue? With the stock lighting I have found that I have to leave the cover doors open or the tank will get up in the 84-85 degree level.

Thanks,


Joe
 
Doh Forgot to add the pics after I put it all back togather !

The temps are stable at 80 so far. The light only ran 4 hours yesterday. Today will be the 1st 10 hour run so Ill keep an eye on it for sure. I always keep the back Flap open anyways. Supposidly the 2 each fans inside the inclosure will insure proper airflow and exhaust the hot air. It really seems to be doing just that. I put my hand over the exhaust port and the air is nice and warm coming out. If it does decide to get hot Ill just put a clip on fan on the back and have it blow on the water coming from chamber 1 . That will provide evap cooling .
 
nice!!!! I 'am pretty much as the same stage as you are now but only 14 gal. cube. Once the tank is more stable I'll start to purchase reef. I now have 4 hermit crap, 1 bluemoon angel and 1 damsel in the tank, and the hermit crap has been leaving lots of waste on my tank....
btw how do you manage to keep 2 crownfish in the same tank? Don't they fight? Cos that what I really want is 2 clown and angel.
 
If you get them young enough and introduce them AT THE SAME TIME one will establish dominance and become the Female. I love GSM and woulkdnt have any other type of clown. They are a handfull when They start fanning the sand prior to laying eggs but they are the most georgous Clowns IMHO. If you start with one then add the 2nd at a later date your asking for trouble and 1 most likely will not survive the beating. Get a young pair and enjoy. BTW : Other types of Clowns dont have the same mean streak GSM do :)
 
@Maldivan wrote:
BTW : Other types of Clowns dont have the same mean streak GSM do said:
The scar on my inner wrist from where my at the time 7+ year old Clarkii female ripped a chunk of flesh out of me begs to differ... :wink:
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@Serk wrote:
[I]@Maldivan wrote:[/I][quote="BTW : Other types of Clowns dont have the same mean streak GSM do said:
The scar on my inner wrist from where my at the time 7+ year old Clarkii female ripped a chunk of flesh out of me begs to differ... :wink:"]

Ive also had Clarkii's and never found a mean streak in them like the GSM have.Was never afraid or timid when i put my hand in the tank. With the 3 pairs of GSM ive had you need to pay close attention when your hands go in, especially when its breeding time! I guess in every Species there are deranged ones :) , even Humans.
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