metal halide system under $100
- Thread starter diverva
- Start date
melbournefl
Member
Here's a site I found, it has DIY MH kits at what seem to be very good prices http://aquaticlight.com/retrofit.html HTH
Later, Paul
Later, Paul
ibrew4uandi
Member
I warn that those ballasts are very hot and very loud. I bought 2 175 watters and there is a solid buzz. The heat doesn't really bother me.
melbournefl
Member
Thanks for the info IBrew, I hadn't done any research yet, just found the site. Thought the price a bit low 
Oh well *sigh* ....
Later, Paul
Oh well *sigh* ....
Later, Paul
ibrew4uandi
Member
Didn't say I didn't like em....can't do better for the price. I spent 140 bucks and 60 bucks on ---- and now I have 2x 12000k metal halide lights.
Hard to do better than that for 200 bucks
Hard to do better than that for 200 bucks
melbournefl
Member
You're right IBrew, I'm just concerned about the noise, the heat, as you said, I can live with but the tank is going in the living room and not sure about the "buzz" LOL after spending a small fortune on a home theater, I'd hate to loose all the sound quality. When you say loud, do you me LOUD? or *loud* or maybe loud? LOL
Thanks again for sharing your experience!
Later, Paul
Thanks again for sharing your experience!
Later, Paul
ibrew4uandi
Member
It is a pretty solid air pump loud
You notice when they go off
You notice when they go off
cap'n pete
Member
Here's a DIY. Have no idea if it's any good.
DIY metal halide for $100
DIY metal halide for $100
mr . salty
Active Member
I am running two of the Aquatic 175 retro's and have absolutly NO BUZZ at all...Are you sure you have yours wired up correctly??? I know it's not rocket science,But like i said "mine make no noise at all"...
ibrew4uandi
Member
My ballasts are made by advance...I have 2 175 watters.. They both buzz about the same volume..
slick
Active Member
For anyone interested I called my local Graybar and they are checking into ordering me some advance ballasts for the 250w MH. They said there might be a minimum order so if anyone else is interested I could get them for you. I am getting 2. Know I don't know if there is a minimum order yet. The price for each one is like $25.11. If there is no minimum order required I am sorry but I will not order them for anyone else as I'm extremly busy and won't have time to mess around with this. Let me know just in case.
melbournefl
Member
If there's a minimum I might be interested keep the thread alive or let me know @ chiesmanp@aol.com okay?
Thanks and Later,
Paul
keep the thread alive or let me know @ chiesmanp@aol.com okay?Thanks and Later,
Paul
diverva
Member
Red,
Please keep us posted on how everything turns out.
Mr. Salty,
What would you recommend for a 55 gallon tank. I saw a 400 watt as well. Also would you recommend the aquatic lighting over the DIY setup? Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this thread.
Please keep us posted on how everything turns out.
Mr. Salty,
What would you recommend for a 55 gallon tank. I saw a 400 watt as well. Also would you recommend the aquatic lighting over the DIY setup? Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this thread.
slick
Active Member
Hey Diverva if you look at what you would be getting from aquatic lighting you will see it's the same parts as in the DIY. So basicly they are both DIY. But if you go with the aquatic lighting you will get a 175w set up instead of the 250w setup from the other site. Just trying to help.
beattyr
Member
I just finished building the MH for under 100$. Came out pretty good. I just have to finish painting the hood and install the fan.
I spent the following
60 odd $ for the 6700k Isw bulb.
25$ for the ballast
25$ for various odds and ends like the box to put the xformer and power cord.
I also had just purchased a few months before, a 30" 110 pc that I then took apart and pieced into this hood.
I now have roughly 360w of light in my 37 gal tank
If I had a digital cam I would take pics for you guys.
If any of you have any questions feel free to email me at beattyr@ummhc.org and I can help you out with this.
Rob
I spent the following
60 odd $ for the 6700k Isw bulb.
25$ for the ballast
25$ for various odds and ends like the box to put the xformer and power cord.
I also had just purchased a few months before, a 30" 110 pc that I then took apart and pieced into this hood.
I now have roughly 360w of light in my 37 gal tank
If I had a digital cam I would take pics for you guys.
If any of you have any questions feel free to email me at beattyr@ummhc.org and I can help you out with this.
Rob
