DIY 70watt MH

J

Jacjr14

Ok so I saw a few people on nano-reef.com making these and I figured I would give it a shot for my 5.5 gallon.

Materials:
-Brinks 300watt halogen security light from Wally world - $7.00
-70watt 14K MH bulb from here - http://www.reefshops.com/html/product_125.html - $20.00
-70watt MH ballast from - http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=11...=17&level=1 - $40.00
-Heavy Duty extension cord - $9.00
-Reptile Lamp Stand from Petco - $25.00

I will post pictures later when my internet quites being slow.
 
Here are some new pics after about a week with the MH. Quite a few of my zoo collection that I have been fragging out lately and will sell when they get big enough.
 
U can tell in the full tank shot that I added a fan behind the light and it keeps the tank at a constant 78 degrees but it does speed up evaporation.
 
John, take some more pictures and let's see if you can get some sharper images. Make a shroud to stop the light from spilling over. Clean the front glass of the tank with water and a paper towel. Make sure the camera focuses on the item, lock your hand to keep it steady and take the shot.

I like how you morphed that light fixture into a MH system.
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It's so funny.

I was in sears looking at edgers, and saw this Light fixture.

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And I thought to myself, I said, "Self, wouldn't that make a great aquarium fixture, painted to match the stand instead of ugly yellow, and replaced with MH Ballasts and 250W HQI's ?" IT's telescopic so it can be raised and lowered, or i could remove it from the tripod and hang it from the ceiling. It's like $65 for the fixture.

I think I might just have to give it a try.

BD
 
Marc, I took another stab at my pictures and here is how they turned out with out any adjustment. I am very pleased thank you soo much for the advice.
 
They are looking better already. Practice makes perfect. :)
 
I'd like to mention that doing this project on a larger scale, wattage wise, is not that much more, not to mention that the ballasts are a little cheaper now.
 
Question: Could you build this fitted out to use a 150w bulb and appropriate ballast, or would the larger watt bulb not fit the security light fixture, or burn too hot?
Catherine
 
That fixture would work just fine for a 150w, in fact that is what i was looking into doing.
 
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