DIY MH lights?

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by Clthomps, Aug 26, 2008.

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  1. Clthomps

    Clthomps Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2008
    Messages:
    58
    I was browsing Wal-mart today and came upon 30$ 250w MH outdoor light fixtures, and I was wondering why I never have seen a DIY post on converting something like this into some cheap reef lighting. Don't get me wrong I am no stranger to electrical work( I worked as a electrition for awhile), and I know that to most people rewiring a light is not a walk in the park. But it seems vary do-able, The only thing that I think I will have trouble with is making a holding bracket and a relector.

    So my question is:

    Has anyone here done it?
    Or is there some inherant flaw in outdoor lighting that would keep one from converting it to use with a Reef tank?

    And lastly

    Does anyone want to help put our heads together and draw up a plan?



    Thanks everyone,

    Chris
     
    Clthomps, Aug 26, 2008
    Clthomps, Aug 26, 2008
    #1

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  2. gobywankenobi

    gobywankenobi Plankton

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
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    Location:
    Bound Brook, NJ
    i tried it with 70watt halides. it really didn't work though because you cant get 70 bulbs better than 43k, so i ended going to the electrical supply house and getting 2 175w ballasts and mogul sockets for $75. i would pay attention to what voltage it is wired for and the socket size for the lamps, also how far you can have the ballast from the lamp. other than being a magnetic ballast or electronic ballast, i believe that a ballast is just a ballast. i could be wrong though, i'm no electrician.
     
    gobywankenobi, Aug 26, 2008
    gobywankenobi, Aug 26, 2008
    #2
  3. stockleys

    stockleys Plankton

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    Dec 26, 2008
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    Location:
    devizes wiltshire uk
    i used a shop fitting suspended from the roof
    its a 150w with the ballast and ignitor built in.
    does the job perfect altho its about 3/4 of a foot tall and sticks that far above the lid of the tank. still does the job tho lights the tank up fine. and btw gobywankenobi when i first tried an outdoor floodlight fitting with an external ballast i found 10,000k 70watt lamps on ebay which fit floodlights they are shorter than the 150's
    the shop fitting cost me around $50 and the lamp was about $25 so its worth it rather than getting a pendant.
     
    stockleys, Dec 28, 2008
    stockleys, Dec 28, 2008
    #3
  4. brettwest

    brettwest Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2009
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    199
    any pictures?I need some budget lights
     
    brettwest, Sep 5, 2009
    brettwest, Sep 5, 2009
    #4
  5. daninfamous

    daninfamous Flamingo Tongue

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    Location:
    Bourbonnais, Il
    any updates on this?
     
    daninfamous, Sep 9, 2009
    daninfamous, Sep 9, 2009
    #5
  6. brettwest

    brettwest Spaghetti Worm

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    bump
     
    brettwest, Oct 21, 2009
    brettwest, Oct 21, 2009
    #6

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  7. scooter-2505

    scooter-2505 Fire Worm

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    Location:
    central Arkansas
    im on board. let's hear it.
     
    scooter-2505, Oct 21, 2009
    scooter-2505, Oct 21, 2009
    #7
  8. mkdsjones

    mkdsjones Plankton

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    Hey chris this site is the best ive found for doable reef lights http://aquarium.union.rpi.edu/articles/DIY_MH.html good luck
     
    mkdsjones, Nov 12, 2009
    mkdsjones, Nov 12, 2009
    #8
  9. CBrady001

    CBrady001 Plankton

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2009
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    Location:
    Maryland
    Has anyone done this?...pics?
     
    CBrady001, Nov 18, 2009
    CBrady001, Nov 18, 2009
    #9