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How Cheap can I build a MH setup?


flyboy01

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I am now wanting to do a MH setup, I see all those cool setups on smaller tanks and now I want one too. I am a noob, I dont know what I need. I am thinking about either a 70 watt or a 150 watt, I plan to make a hood and keep the 130 watts of PC in the hood. The tank is 18" deep, but most corals are not more than 14" from the light.

 

What do I need and where to go get it? Thanks.

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What you need.. Ballast, Reflector, Bulb. I am going to assume you are going to go with DE often referred to as HQI, then you will need UV resisitant glass [found at glass shops/I believe Home Depot or Lowes too] but you want to make sure its tempered UV resistant.

 

If you check here in the classifieds there is someone by the name of Lamp Dr. [Jorge] that sells kits that about plug n play. Youd have to work out the fixture though.

 

Tam

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Originally posted by darkspyda

you will need UV resisitant glass [found at glass shops/I believe Home Depot or Lowes too] but you want to make sure its tempered UV resistant.

Tam

OK now I'm lost, what do I need UV resistant glass for? I have an acrylic aquarium, do I have to change to a glass tank?

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BKtomodachi

The UV glass is basically a "filter" that you put under the bulb so that the UV light that comes out of double ended bulbs doesnt fry your corals.

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Excuse the dumb questions.

 

So you are saying that if I get a single ended (screw in) bulb, it does not need a UV glass filter?

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matt the fiddler

watch the classifieds for deals. will save you up to 50% :)

 

yes single ended bulbs need no extra UV protection.

 

if you are makign our own hood., i woudl go single ended bulbs.... here is why..

1- SE ballasts are 20-30% cheaper than the HQI counterparts

2- more possibilities of bulb choice

3- no UV shielding glass needed..

4- EASIER to retrofit into a DIY hood [i DID]

5- safer to your eyes if you don't get all the light shielded... DE/ HQI light is VERY VERY VERY dangerous to your corals, skin, and vision.

 

only big reasons to go HQI- is if you are particualrry fond of some of the bulbs, or are incredibly tight on space. you pay for the compact size though......

 

i got my 250W halide setup [bulb reflector ballast] for less than $70...

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chieferich

look at my 20000k post i made recently.

 

i ordered a pfo 175w ballast and 20000k XM, reflector/mogul shipped for 175$

 

i love it so far...just had to build a hood.

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I found a (Lithonia GRSH 70M 9 120/277 MED HSG) 70W Metal Halide BALLAST and SOCKET for $12.00. Is this a good deal? Where can I get a 10K or 14K screw in bulb for it? It says that the ballast is designed to light a 70W type M98 or 75W type M101 Metal Halide light bulb.

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That type M98 and M101 is an (I think) ANSI code for a standard bulb type. Stay in that type and you can use whatever you want.

Ballast and socket for $12? Impossible.

Link me, I'll take a dozen. :)

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matt the fiddler

flyboy- of you can get several at that price $12.00.. hook me up for 4 or 5 of them as well. :) i will use them to power my fuges/ sump/ etc.

 

 

now that is single ended 70w ??? didn't knwo any single ended exists at that wattage..

 

 

mabye i am dumb and flipping the numbers in my head.

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I was only able to find 3800 kelvin bulbs at that wattage. :( I was hoping someone else knows if there are any other bulbs. If you really want, the guy has 12 of these fixtures.

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matt the fiddler

pm me the details.. please... i want to at least check out this guys listing...

 

if it is a HQI ballast- there are gobs of bulbs out there- not sure what there is in terms of SE 70 watt....

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I have been checking, there are no se screw in bulbs available other than 3800k, they are cheap, but not for aquaruims.

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Here are some detailed pics, If anybody can find some lamps for it, I am going to buy one. Hell its probably worth that for the socket alone. I will be happy to share this source with you all too.

 

grsh70ballastlabel.jpg

 

grshballastsocket.jpg

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matt the fiddler

70 watt halide ansi cods

 

M85 - 70 watt MH (double-ended and BiPin lamps)

M98 - 70 watt MH (standard, pulse start, and operates some double - ended and BiPin lamps)

M139 - 70 watt MH (ceramic metal halide, some double - ended, and some BiPin lamps)

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Iwasaki makes a 70w 6500K SE MH bulb..;)

 

IMO, I wouldnt run a SE bulb on a nano...too much heat. DE bulbs run cooler...less evaporation.

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