what would i need to get metal halide lighting started?

yellowtail

Active Member
such as mogu,l base, ballast, bulbs, etc............by the way i dont know what any of these are so if you could explain them and what they do that would be an enormous and fantastic help:happy:
 

skirrby

Active Member
bulbs = im sure you know
mogul = the thing you screw the end of the bulb into, thats if useing single ended bulbs.
ballast= what runs the halides
base= not to sure what you mean by this,, are you talkign about the reflector?
you will need some kind of reflector
they are very simple really. you pretty much said all you would need to start them in your post
 

yellowtail

Active Member

Originally posted by YellowTail
yup i know what bulbs are............and would i need a ballast? and what does it do

oopsiedaisy you all ready answered my question.........so that would be all i needed? also if i got all that stuff with a 36" 150 10k bulb how much would it be?do you have to buy actinics as seperate bulbs?
 

skirrby

Active Member
i think you would be good with a retrofit kit. wich will give you the bulb, socket(mogul), reflector, and ballast, along with the wiring you would need for it all.. then get or build a canopy and install them in there... thats normally the cheapest way to go. buying premanufactured hoods with halides already in them is mighty expensive..
depending on the bulb you got, be it a 10k or 12,14,20k bulb. would all depend on if you wanted actinics with it or not,, if you went with a 20k more than likley you wouldnt need any actinics unless you wanted it really blue.
im not sure of the demensions of your tank, but i would think you could get away with one 175watt halides and whatever you chose for actinics if you choose to have them.
i couldnt tell you a exact cost,,, i know my 175watt 10 xm bubls were 59.99 per bulb. i bought my reflector, ballast, and all with a old bulb off waterfaller1 a long time ago for 100 bucks. and my canopy ran me about another 60 in wood and parts. add the 2 4 inch fans for another 40ish.. and all together my setup cost me around $320 bucks, you would get away cheaper if you only needed one bulb.
 

leopard_babe

Active Member
Do you have a hood? If not, tell me how the lights work out. I am looking for lights for my 46, and would like to know how you like yours.
 

yellowtail

Active Member

Originally posted by Leopard_babe
Do you have a hood? If not, tell me how the lights work out. I am looking for lights for my 46, and would like to know how you like yours.

hey skirrby:
could i just suspend the lights instead of making a canopy?
Leopard_babe :
if i were to get these mh's it would be around christmas time so dont count on me to give ya' an answer anytime soon. sorry for the
. also no i dont have a canopy
 

yellowtail

Active Member

Originally posted by YellowTail
hey skirrby:
could i just suspend the lights instead of making a canopy?
so what ur saying is if i get a 20 k bulb then i wouldn't need actinics?
 

skirrby

Active Member
depends on what you get on if you can hang it from the celing or not. i personally think they look better in canopys
 

robchuck

Active Member
One pendant will definately work, but you'll get some darker areas towards the sides of the tank.
I also have a 36"x18" tank, and have two MH over it. The light spread is nice, and besides, I have a plastic center brace that would cast an ugly shadow if I only used one halide. Does your tank have a center brace?
 

yellowtail

Active Member

Originally posted by RobChuck
One pendant will definately work, but you'll get some darker areas towards the sides of the tank.
I also have a 36"x18" tank, and have two MH over it. The light spread is nice, and besides, I have a plastic center brace that would cast an ugly shadow if I only used one halide. Does your tank have a center brace?


nope....... could i use a 175 watt for acro's,monti's and clams?
 

nauti2001

Member
HEy RobCHuck.. Im thinking about upgrading to a 65 gallon. I currently have a 29 but want a bigger one. What kind of lighting do you recommend and/or have. Would you mind sending me some pics of it if you ever get some time. Also what type of filter do you have/recommend? If you have time send them to nauti2001@aol.com. Thanks. Matt
 
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