I’ve attempted the dreaded google search, but didn’t really find anything. I have what I always called a painters light. I’ll post a picture. If I buy a reef bulb for it and mount it...would it work? What is the difference between theses and 500.00 “made for reef” ones. This may have been answered slmewhere. Thanks for the help.
Metal halide diy thoughts.
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Mshanej
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It’s got, what I think to be, a pretty good reflector. It currently can light up my yard to the point you think it’s daytime. The manual I’m reading over say it will take any double ended bulb. I may buy a cheap eBay build and try it. I have LEDs now, and they work great. I would leave them on the tank as well. But I do miss my shimmer.
reefwiser
LMAS
One would find out real fast that this will not work every well. I am not a fan of those lights for work lights either they put out bad light and are useless for most work due to the shadows they cast.
With salt water they will rust almost in front of your eye's.:)
With salt water they will rust almost in front of your eye's.:)
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
That light takes a halogen bulb that works on line voltage. It will not fire a metal halide bulb that requires high voltage that comes from a ballast.
Catchemall
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Fire waiting to happen. Save your money and do it right. What a nightmare that would be explaining that one to the insurance company
vanpire
Valuable Member
There are so many good used MH ballasts and reflectors for cheap. Not sure why you would want to do this.
I got my reflectors and galaxy ballasts for about $100 per set (ballast and reflectors).
I got my reflectors and galaxy ballasts for about $100 per set (ballast and reflectors).
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
MH bulbs wont fit anyway, the holders are different. I have seen posts where those type of light are converted for aquarium use but they have to be rewired for a ballast and the bulb holders changed.
rockskimmerflow
Well-Known Member
Uhm yeah, that's not gonna work.... There really are tons of used and reasonably priced ballast and reflector sets for reef tanks out there if you spend a few mins looking. You don't need a giesemann or hyper high end fixture to get the job done. Try looking for some old Cayman Sun pendants and ballasts. I've seen them out there for sub 100 dollars per set.
dantimdad
10K Club member
OK. Going against the grain here.
Yes, you can modify the endcaps to fit a 150MH bulb. No, you just can't plug it in. You have to use a ballast for the MH bulb.
I used one for years over a 30 cube until I went LED and had no fire issues or anything.
Just make sure you leave the tempered glass shield in place to protect against UV. No, you don't need a special piece of glass as long as the shields are tempered.
Now, I will say they are butt ugly! LOL!
Yes, you can modify the endcaps to fit a 150MH bulb. No, you just can't plug it in. You have to use a ballast for the MH bulb.
I used one for years over a 30 cube until I went LED and had no fire issues or anything.
Just make sure you leave the tempered glass shield in place to protect against UV. No, you don't need a special piece of glass as long as the shields are tempered.
Now, I will say they are butt ugly! LOL!
Mshanej
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Where?! To be honest I’m not sure what I’m looking for. So I just search google. And I get 1,000.00 things that need other parts to function, or a bunch of LEDs even though I didn’t type LED lol
vanpire
Valuable Member
Where are you located? If you are in AZ, you can buy my spare MH sets. I have two electronic ballast (ice cap I think) and two lumenbright reflectors. I keep them as back ups but you seem to need help.
I am not going to ship because they are very heavy and shipping isn't worth it.
I am not going to ship because they are very heavy and shipping isn't worth it.
Catchemall
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That’s pretty standup !
dantimdad
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One of the reasons I love this board still.
If the ballist is the same voltage for the bulb, yes it will work.
Now I have never had double ended setup but I have used 400 watt ballist that was taken down from a grocery store and put a reef bulb in it. I just had to buy a reflector.
Sounds to me like the same situation.
Now I have never had double ended setup but I have used 400 watt ballist that was taken down from a grocery store and put a reef bulb in it. I just had to buy a reflector.
Sounds to me like the same situation.
dantimdad
10K Club member
The first metal halide setups I had were cheap dusk to dawn MH lights from a building supply. I gutted them, made reflectors from mirror (UGH!) or polished stainless sheet metal.
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