gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Hi fellow Nano-Reefers! It's been a while since I've had a tank setup due to moving all the time... but recently I got a couple of projects done that have been on the back-burner. I took a mac mini case (was going to use it for LED's but scrapped that idea due to cost) and installed a 70w Metal Halide 20k bulb. I think it turned out spectacular! This is going over a future 10 gallon DIY AIO that should be up and running within the next couple of weeks. I rigged up a 70W ballast inside an aluminum enclosure with a receptacle and a switch. The receptacle accepts the plug coming from the lamp and the switch just turns it on!. Enjoy the photos and I can explain more about it if you ask. Thanks! Link to comment
BullDawg Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Lighting by Apple. Sweet. Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 The ballast came from here... http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=11...=17&level=1 Shipped very quickly and works great! Link to comment
epicfish Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 How does the stand for the light work? Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 How does the stand for the light work? I originally planned to use a 1-1/2" wide by 1/8" thickness piece of aluminum bent and screwed to the back of the table I have. I found that the aluminum flexed too much so I added a 90 degree piece of aluminum to reinforce the vertical portion of the original aluminum piece. This added the rigidity I needed. Also, instead of directly screwing the aluminum to the table, I first screwed it to a hinge, allowing me to move the light to one side of the aquarium when work needs to be done. Works great! Link to comment
kraqus Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 The iHalide....! Brilliant.... Benny Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 Excellent! Thanks. No problem! Also, just because I think it's beautiful, here's a view of the light from below. The "insides" came from a $10 walmart halogen light. Needed just a little TLC to achieve the fit I was going for. Also, I attached a small blue LED light behind the fixture to have as a moon light. Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 and.. Here is the ballast enclosure sitting under my stand. Link to comment
Aquanist Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Makes me wonder... Should I convert my 3 minis into these... Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 Makes me wonder... Should I convert my 3 minis into these... I say definitely! Link to comment
Clownshoes Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 thats clean really clean. Nice job Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 thats clean really clean. Nice job Thank you! It was a blast to build, now I'm excited to get the tank going! Just waiting on the plexiglass to turn the tank into an AIO and pump to come in the mail. Stay posted! Link to comment
Clownshoes Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 what brand bulb did you go with? Im curious to see it when you get the rocks and water in there. I have a 70w sunpod over my 14g biocube and Im going to need a new bulb soon and cant decide to go with a 20k or 14k. Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 what brand bulb did you go with? Im curious to see it when you get the rocks and water in there. I have a 70w sunpod over my 14g biocube and Im going to need a new bulb soon and cant decide to go with a 20k or 14k. I went with this one on ebay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...e=STRK:MEWNX:IT Thoughts? I think it has awesome color, very impressed. Link to comment
mad28gnc Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Makes me wonder... Should I convert my 3 minis into these... no only 2 of em and give the other to me Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 no only 2 of em and give the other to me You can always get yourself one on eBay! http://cgi.ebay.com/MAC-MINI-early-2006-A1...=item2a047b31a7 Link to comment
zjharva Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 lol thats what i found when i thought hmmm i should do this! Link to comment
bluefunelement Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Looks like you glued the glass to it- how do you replace the bulb? And send me your address so I can send the royalty check your way- doing this with LED asap. Link to comment
wfournier Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I'd be a little worried about heat, both with the ballast in the box as well as the halide it self. Is there any plastic on the Mac mini case? How hot does that ballast run? Link to comment
gtbzz85 Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 Thanks for the questions! You are correct, the glass is glued on, however there is a gap at the back big enough to get a new bulb in when needed. The light did get kind of hot, but a small 6" diameter fan on the wall has made the unit "cool to the touch" again. Virtually no heat will be transferred to the tank. And for the 70w ballast, it barely heats up at all. I guess some of the 250w+ ballasts must get pretty toasty. Good luck with the LED Setup bluefunelement! Can't wait to see it! Matt Link to comment
macyankee86 Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Matt- Just found your thread. Looking to do a 150W MH over a new 20 Long I just got. (Upgrading the 10 gal someday!) How is this balast running so far? An update would be nice since it has been a few days... Also, the glass you are using on your light, tempered or not? Thanks! Gordon Link to comment
spllbnd2 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Cudos on an awesome build for the 70W HQI Now for the questions, 1. Where did you find the aluminum box that you used for the switch and plug? 2. How does the 20K bulb seems after it warms up? Does it seems more of a 14k blue or more of an actual 20k blue? I've been looking for a nice semi blue 70W HQI bulb but have been leary of those on ebay because you just never know. Cheers, Alex Link to comment
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