Mr. Satly: metal halide retrofit kits

[jacksonpt]

I was going through old posts, looking for info on retrofit metal halide kits. People seem to recommend SORRY WE CAN'T POST LINKS TO COMPETITORS SITES(MR.SALTY). In one of the posts you said that they are selling the same exact kit you are running. What is involved in setting up the kit? Is it just a matter of running a few wires? (maybe a stupid question, but...) Does the kit mount to the inside of my existing hood, or do I need a new one to mount the balast/bulbs to? I really have no idea how these kits work (duh!), so any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
I am considering going with (2) 175w 1200k kits for my 75g reef. That amounts to about 4.67 watts per gallon. That should be sufficient for most corals, right?
[ August 28, 2001: Message edited by: MR . SALTY ]

 

[fat_ed]

I've heard bad things about the 12K Sunburst bulbs. You might want to stay away from that and opt for a 10K Ushio.

 

[option720]

Jacksonpt-
This is a great site that give lots of info Metal Halide lighting, it’s not to technical so don’t worry. http://*************************** As far as fitting them into your existing hood, if I understand what your are saying, the MH will not fit where your 48inch bulbs are you have to build a new top. That is a fairly easy project, lots of links on the web for that.
If I were you, this is what I would do. I would use this link http://www.************************ which shows you a DIY 250 watt MH set up for around $100( with the bulb!). I would put two of those in your tank, then I would take your 2 of your 48inch bulbs and convert them all to actinic bulb because the only bulb that works with that DIY set up is a 6500k (white, but a little yellow). This would give you a total of 480 watts or 6.4 watt per gallon at the about the same cost.
ATTN SHARKS!: none of these links are to anyplace that sells equipment, they are all personal pages. Sorry,,But they DO contain active links to competitors sites!!!
[ August 28, 2001: Message edited by: MR . SALTY ]
[ August 28, 2001: Message edited by: MR . SALTY ]

 

[fender]

Option-
I am building this setup this weekend, the parts all came in this week.
I ordered the ballasts referred to in the link and can confirm they do cost only $26 each from the company listed.
500 watts of MH lighting for only $200. Not too shabby.
I'll everyone know how it goes....

 

[mr . salty]

People,,,Please be more carefull when posting links.They can NOT contain links to online stores.... Just doing MY job here.

 

[jacksonpt]

No problem Mr. Salty... I posted the link because I had seen it posted in past messages with no problems.
Fender, are you building the DIY setup posted by option720? When you're finished, I'd love a few pics and a writeup on the assembly process.

 

[fender]

Yes, basically its going to be (2) 250 Advance MV ballasts at $26 with Iwasaki 6.5k bulbs @ $59 each, moguls for $5 each and another $10-15 for wiring and a metal housing for the ballasts.
To get things a little bluer I am going to also mount my existing NO setup with a couple of Super Actinics and maybe upgrade them to VHO when I have more $$$$$.
I'll take pics of the whole process.
I am going to have to build a hood too, so I'll detail that as well.

 

[option720]

MR. SALTY i am really sorry, i guess that i was not aware of that clause of the policy and i apologize. Jacksonpt, drop me an email at option720@yahoo.com and i will send you those addresses.
Fender- let us know what it turns out like, picture if you can!

 

[mr . salty]

Jacksonpc,The diy setup we are talking about is SUPER EASY to wire up. There are only four wires that need to be hooked up.The kit comes with idiot proof directions...The hardest part is figuring out exactly where to mount the bulb...I would suggest you upgrade the bulb,as the one that comes with this basic setup is reall junk...I have 10k blulines in both my 175's.These are excellent bulbs...

 

[jacksonpt]

Mr Salty... do you have any pics of your lighting setup? I'm trying to figure out how I am going to mount everything (bulbs and ballasts).
Thanks again for the info.

 

[glenn]

What if the site is not a competitor with Saltwaterfish?
Glenn

 

[beth]

No sites that sell anything. If the site is the manufacture of a product, but does not sell, like Red Sea or AllGlass, then it can post.
This BB does not accept links to any sites that sells, no matter what is being sold. And if there is a site, like About.com, that has all kinds of info, but lists ads, then that site can't be posted either. I have seen Admin delete posts where members post links to their own webpage, but because that webpage has links to stores, etc., the post gets deleted.

 

[mr . salty]

In general,If the site sells any aquarium livestock or equiptment,or contains links too any of these sites,then it is not allowed...Jacksonpt. I will get a pic or two up this weekend,But it's really pretty easy to mount these kits.You should try to mount them in a position so they light the tank evenly...If you are getting ONE bulb,,,Just mount it in the center...If your getting TWO bulbs,,,put them about two feet apart from each other.

 

[glenn]

OK...I was wondering because it has been posted that "competitors" of saltwaterfish.com will not be posted. Some of the places dont compete with them so I just wondered.