AJP's 10 gallon with DIY

[AJP]

Ok well to start with here is the plan. Standard 10 gallon with a 70w metal halide no skimmer just live rock and water movement from some korali nano's.

Ok well I refused to pay an arm and a leg for a 70w metal halide pendant so I made one.

I used a brinks Home security light. $10

A 70w Metal halide ballast $30

http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=112&FID=17&level=1

El cheapo ebay 14k bulb $18

http://cgi.ebay.com/70-W-14K-HQI-DE...hash=item120287044805&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

A black extension cord, a black add on cord, a breaker box, a switch, eyebolt, hook, picture hanging wire from Home depot. $25

Total $83

Fairly easy to do, you gut the fixture leaving just the end caps, reflector, and glass.

I went fancy here and cut the end from the extentsion cord so I could use it as a quick disconnect. I wired the male end to the end caps in the pendant. I wired the female end to the output of the ballast. I then used the power cord and wired it to the 10v input of the ballast. I stuffed the ballast and all the wires in the breaker box and put in a switch cause again why half *** a great project.

I then ran the picture hanging wire through 2 holes i drilled in the pendant, and up to the eyebolt a screwed into my ceiling. And that is about it. Looks half way professional and it actually works.

Ok so I hope that made sense I missed some pictures but if needed I can explain further or take more pics.

So as of now that is where I am. I have the light hung, and sand in the tank. I just hooked up my new RO/DI filter and will start making water Sunday when I am off to fill this and get it salty. I already have a heater and stuff but I need to pain the back of the tank quick and then we will be ready for water.

 

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

Nice. Looks sweet so far. Keep us updated with pictures.

 

[Mikes_aquatics]

you know i was thinking about doing the same but i didnt think it would work!

 

[Nano Chris]

Looks really good, saved money wit the lighting.

 

[AwkwardParrot]

nice MH!

 

[AJP]

Well thanks to Ricksreefs the rock came in today. I have to say this rock is amazing. Very purple, very light, very porous, and very well packed. Also please excuse my crappy pictures as I am getting back into the swing of reef photo taking.


Packaged

Just the rock

 

[AJP]

Front

Ricer Angle

Left Side

Right Side

Top Down

 

[kenny77]

Nice lighting. I was planning on using this http://www.atlaslightingsupply.com/9floodwslipfitter.html since it come already with the ballast. but your seem to work well and it even cheaper.

is there any way you can make like a diagram so I can see and understand better the conection

 

[AJP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13057012#post13057012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenny77
Nice lighting. I was planning on using this http://www.atlaslightingsupply.com/9floodwslipfitter.html since it come already with the ballast. but your seem to work well and it even cheaper.

is there any way you can make like a diagram so I can see and understand better the conection

I'll see what I can do.

 

[kenny77]

thanks

 

[Reefer07]

Very innovative with the light. I don't know how long you have had it running or if you have had any problems yet but I would just be careful as far as a fire hazard. I know people have encountered problems such as this when buying stuff off ebay.

 

[is_that_a_fish]

wow. looks good. im also setting up a ten gallon. just finished cycling. im using PC's and DIY rock.

you rock looks very good too. nice and purple.

are you going to run any filtration, or just LR and LS?

 

[AJP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13057556#post13057556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefer07
Very innovative with the light. I don't know how long you have had it running or if you have had any problems yet but I would just be careful as far as a fire hazard. I know people have encountered problems such as this when buying stuff off ebay.

There is no fire hazard here. I used heavy gauge insulated wire and high temp wire nuts. Also the light was originally designed to hold a 400w bulb now it has a 70w bulb.

 

[AJP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13057012#post13057012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenny77
Nice lighting. I was planning on using this http://www.atlaslightingsupply.com/9floodwslipfitter.html since it come already with the ballast. but your seem to work well and it even cheaper.

is there any way you can make like a diagram so I can see and understand better the conection

Very crappy diagram hope it makes sense.

 

[kenny77]

Nice. thanks. Any update?

 

[AJP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13097818#post13097818 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenny77
Nice. thanks. Any update?

Not much to update. I am doing a 4 hour light cycle and weekly 3 gallon water changes. I'm gonna give the tank plenty of time to cycle, once I am sure the cycle is over I'll add a small cleanup crew. Then maybe 1 or 2 fish and maybe a cleaner shrimp. It will probably 2 months till I add the first coral, want to make sure everything is stable and water quality can be controlled.

 

[JLAURIA751]

looks good! did you use the brinks light as a reflector that is powered by a seperate ballast? and do you need a specifec type of ballast for saltwater? or can you use any MH ballast. I was thinking of doing the same thing but don't know how 2 go about doing it do you have any links 2 other threads that can help? Is the ac/dc converter in the ballst?

 

[AwkwardParrot]

you need a ballast that can power whatever bulb your using!

 

[AJP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13103669#post13103669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JLAURIA751
looks good! did you use the brinks light as a reflector that is powered by a seperate ballast? and do you need a specifec type of ballast for saltwater? or can you use any MH ballast. I was thinking of doing the same thing but don't know how 2 go about doing it do you have any links 2 other threads that can help? Is the ac/dc converter in the ballst?

You need a ballast to fire a metal halide bulb. Any ballast will work as long as it is rated to run the bulb your attempting to fire. Not sure what else you need help with but ask your questions I am sure we can answer them. Also there is no AC/DC converter, just a ballast in a box to keep it looking clean.

 

[is_that_a_fish]

hey man, im also setting up a ten gallon and was thinking of doing the same sort of thing for my lights, but was wondering what would happen if you just up the MH light in the halogen fixture?