SamH Posted August 6, 2009 Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 I'm looking at getting a Metal Halide system to grow high light plants and wondering how I'd put it all together. It's a second hand unit, once used in a workshop and comes with a power supply (I'm guessing that's the Ballast) and the lights. No plug to mains though. I was thinking of mounting the light in a hood, having a couple of mirrors as reflectors and having a cold air intake fan at the front and a warm air outtake fan at the back. Then I'd like to run the Ballast underneath the aquarium and finally plug it into mains power. Question 1: How would I attach a plug (extension lead)? Question 2: How would I run the two fans? Question 3: What should I make the hood out of? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 6, 2009 Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 Question 1: How would I attach a plug (extension lead)? Kinda ghetto, but should work Question 2: How would I run the two fans? 12v power supply and a couple PC case fans should work. Question 3: What should I make the hood out of? Wood. Might be worth stopping by your local hydroponic weed supply shop and see if they have an appropriate sized reflector. BTW, I'm assuming it's single ended MH, a double ended you'll also need to figure out how to put some UV blocking glass around the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2009 Thanks Ira. Where can I get a 12v power supply from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Thanks Ira. Where can I get a 12v power supply from? One of those square black plugs like the ones on mobile phone chargers (nokia at least). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Thanks Ira. Where can I get a 12v power supply from? Closet, cabinet, dick smith, computer power supply, Das Verboten T site, local electrical supply shop... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 How much are you looking at spending? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Have you actually got the equipment yet? I have 2x 150W MH with brand new 6500K bulbs I am not using anymore. You could buy them if you have not already got stuff to make your set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Haven't got it yet, $20 for 2x power supplies and 2x lights with 2 bulbs each (100w). How much would you be willing to sell for Vinson? I only need one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 and did i hear you right? did you want to put MH's on a 27L tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 the 100w bulbs will be a really yellow light you cant get them above 4200k and they are over 100 to replace, you would be better off with a double ended 70W then you can buy cheap bulbs in aquarium specific colour temperatures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 and did i hear you right? did you want to put MH's on a 27L tank? Perhaps. My glorified bucket isn't glorious enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Seriously Sam if you have much more than 2wpg/ or more than ~18W on 27L you will soon descend into an algal abyss. lol. IME there is no faster way than with too much MH light over a tank to incite the algal infestation. But I do wish you luck. One nano planted, if you use the right sized plants, is a grand sight. Your biggest problem is maintaining a balance of everything in such a small environment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 seriously sam. the MH's are too powerful. :lol: 150W MH will do well on a tank the size of an AR 620. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 I'm looking at getting a Metal Halide system to grow high light plants and wondering how I'd put it all together. This is a great idea and your plants will do well, when you consider how strong the light is in the plants natural environment I don't think you will be over doing it. Just so long as you also remember that you need to to balance the light with nutrients and CO2 It's a second hand unit, once used in a workshop and comes with a power supply (I'm guessing that's the Ballast) and the lights. No plug to mains though. I was thinking of mounting the light in a hood, having a couple of mirrors as reflectors and having a cold air intake fan at the front and a warm air outtake fan at the back. Then I'd like to run the Ballast underneath the aquarium and finally plug it into mains power. Mirrors wont work, unless the glass in toughened the heat will break it. The need to fans will depend on the hood design, a lot of marine tanks use Mh lights but don't need fans to keep them cool. Remember that a Mh light will only produce the same heat as the same wattage of fluorescent lights, what makes it seem like so much more is that it concentrated in one spot instead of spread over the length of a tube. Question 1: How would I attach a plug (extension lead)? To be honest,if you need to ask this you shouldn't be doing the work. 240v and water don't mix, you need to know what you are doing. Question 2: How would I run the two fans? By far the cheapest and easiest way to run a fan is to buy a $10 mains one from the warehouse Question 3: What should I make the hood out of? Wood is the only good option really. Plywood is probaly the best bet for strength, water resistance, and ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 To be honest,if you need to ask this you shouldn't be doing the work. 240v and water don't mix, you need to know what you are doing. leagally as the owner of the appliance he can electrically do what he wants with it. but yes you can use an extention cord by cutting the socket end off. if the unit already has labeling clearly showing what way and where the connections are you should be alrite, aslong as your armed with a multimeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Now that I think about it, it is quite powerful. What if I mounted one or two bulbs above my 3 foot? I know how to solder and how electricity works etc, just making sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Also, I've got some new lids made to replace the ill fitting glass ones. They're 2mm acrylic, will the heat from a metal halide bulb melt that? And I'm going to divide up a tank into four sections, do I need to silicone the acrylic in or can I do it some other way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 They're 2mm acrylic, will the heat from a metal halide bulb melt that? Yes, if they get close enough, do you know how hot a MH gets? Honestly go get some 6500k power saving bulbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Honestly go get some 6500k power saving bulbs The ones that fit in "normal" household light fittings? Do those grow plants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 The ones that fit in "normal" household light fittings? Do those grow plants? Yup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Sweet. I just moved the 8w T5 off the Nano and put on a cool daylight (I think) energy saver, looks heaps better and brighter. I'm looking at getting 3 or 4 fittings to put over the 3ft tank, where can I buy these cheaply? I know the Warehosue sells desk lamps for $10 but then I'd have to take it all apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Sweet. I just moved the 8w T5 off the Nano and put on a cool daylight (I think) energy saver, looks heaps better and brighter. I'm looking at getting 3 or 4 fittings to put over the 3ft tank, where can I buy these cheaply? I know the Warehosue sells desk lamps for $10 but then I'd have to take it all apart. Go to an electrical wholesaler for parts http://fishkeepers.co.nz/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/sh ... 77&page=10 bout half way down it has a cool looking diy hood you could do the same maybe add another bulb or two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Did a quick google of NZ Electrical Wholesalers, came up with not much at all. Anyone know any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Did a quick google of NZ Electrical Wholesalers, came up with not much at all. Anyone know any? http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q= ... DcountryNZ www.jarussell.co.nz http://www.mastertrade.co.nz/branches.php How did you find nothing :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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