DIY 70watt Metal Halide under $50

[Socalsuperhero]

So, the DIY metal halide has been discussed ad nauseum, but I felt that I had to post this because under $50 is pretty significant. Here's the basics that everyone else pretty much already knows:

 

300w Halogen security light = $6.99

Electronic Ballast = $30 ($25 this time, thanks to a fellow reefer)

 

But, I hate dropping bucks on bulbs, so i figured I would give these a shot. For $15 you get a 70w 14k bulb from China branded WZG. For me, it seems worth it to at least give it a try at that price.

 

Here's a pic of the light thrown together (two of these will be going in a hood with 10k/20k or 14k/20k)

 

 

And here's the light over the tank (yes, I'm just holding it). Looks pretty good so far, but I'll wait to pass judgment on it until l see how things grow under it.

 

[BruiseAndy]

Ballast looks eerily familiar

 

Have to let me know how you like those bulbs...been looking at them on ebay.

[rickjg]

But, I hate dropping bucks on bulbs, so i figured I would give these a shot. For $15 you get a 70w 14k bulb from China branded WZG. For me, it seems worth it to at least give it a try at that price.

SCSH

 

Thanks for the link on the bulbs, I've been looking for a budget 10K 70W for my NC24 Viv. That may just do the trick. Keep us updated on the light level of the bulb after you get some burn-in time.

 

Rick

[Socalsuperhero]

Ballast looks eerily familiar

 

Have to let me know how you like those bulbs...been looking at them on ebay.

 

I know I'm not the only one who owes you a big thanks! You are definitely my hero for making mh ballasts available to the nano masses

[rickjg]

Ballast looks eerily familiar

I know I'm not the only one who owes you a big thanks! You are definitely my hero for making mh ballasts available to the nano masses

some people owe a double thanks to BruiseAndy ... ...

[SeeDemTails]

So bruiseandy....how do I got about getting one of those ballasts?

[reefone]

there was a bunch on ebay.

[Socalsuperhero]

there was a bunch on ebay.

 

And in the N-R.com classifieds

[BruiseAndy]

sold 4 on ebay and 12 on NR. I'm keeping 4. 2 for a project and 2 for backup.

[yardboy]

I don't mean to be a twit, but how much was shipping for those bulbs? Only thing I could find was like $21.00 for each bulb? Is that correct or is it cheaper?

[Socalsuperhero]

I don't mean to be a twit, but how much was shipping for those bulbs? Only thing I could find was like $21.00 for each bulb? Is that correct or is it cheaper?

 

 

I ordered the bulbs from the link I posted above. I used the slow shipping and it was only $3.50 I think--got here in two weeks.

[yardboy]

Great, I'll have to try them out too.

[Genin]

is there any way to get our hands on any more of those ballasts? I wouldn't mind picking up one of those. what is the brand and why are they so cheap. where did you get them BruiseAndy?

[BruiseAndy]

I bought them in a lot from a lost freight person. Checked with them and they don't have anymore. Ballasts are made by vossloh-schwabe for aromat. Seemed to work out ok for everyone as I only heard of one problem and it ended up being crappy wire in a hologen light.

[rickjg]

I ordered a 70W 10K hqi lamp from reefshops.com, the link that Socalsuperhero gave us. It seems like such a great deal for under $18...shipped.

I’m tempted to order a 70W 14K hqi lamp from them so I can compare the light output with some other 14K lamps. I have a 70w 14k hqi lamp from LampDR (imported from Taiwan...$39.00 shipped). I also have an AstraLux 14k 70w hqi lamp that I ordered a while back. If I ever get around to working on my 7G 2.70W SPS tank I’ll do a visual comparison on the light output of at least the two lamps I already have and post the results.

-Rick

[Socalsuperhero]

Got my 2x70w going with the wzg bulbs, 10k/20k.

 

[rickjg]

Got my 2x70w going with the wzg bulbs, 10k/20k.

The light looks really good, not too blue.

Did you make two separate light fixtures? or did you put two lamps in one fixture?

I want to put two lamps in one fixture for my 7G 2.70W, because it will be an open top tank.

[Socalsuperhero]

The light looks really good, not too blue.

Did you make two separate light fixtures? or did you put two lamps in one fixture?

I want to put two lamps in one fixture for my 7G 2.70W, because it will be an open top tank.

 

I just put two fixtures in.

[BrassMonkey030]

$30 ballast

 

http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=11...=17&level=1

[yardboy]

I have got to get a light meter. My eyes really suck as far as telling light intensity, unless it's like the difference between a candle and the sun. Darn pupils.

[seastar12]

I just put two fixtures in.

Noob question, How did you put two lamps in one fixture?

[baj]

How did you put two lamps in one fixture?

 

throw in a mcmuffin? oh wait no, thats for 2 fatties in a phone booth.

 

No you cant put two lamps in one fixture which has one set of endcaps, you will need two sets of endcaps, one for each lamp.

[rickjg]

Noob question, How did you put two lamps in one fixture?

You have to have two sets of end caps

 

throw in a mcmuffin? oh wait no, thats for 2 fatties in a phone booth.

No you cant put two lamps in one fixture which has one set of endcaps, you will need two sets of endcaps, one for each lamp.

I was at HD and noticed a halogen work light with two bulbs,

that's what gave me the idea of a DIY fixture with two 70 watt MH lamps.

[yardboy]

I saw that fixture too, but one bulb is only like 150W, the other 500W. Only one bulb burns at a time. Kind of a hi/lo beam.

[Esper]

the first pic looks more like a 10k, or a phoenix 14k on a magnetic ballast. the astralux bulb (that i paid $50 bucks for...the price of this whole kit!) is a much nicer blue IMO, more like a hamilton 14k. good job on finding cheap parts, though...i'm tempted to pick up another one...