lights lights and more lights

[dez_2121]

ok i've been doing a lot of diy reading and can't seem to find a good answer to my question.
i would like to have 2 mh of some type to go along with my 4 vho's on my 55gal tank but have a small problem don't have the cash flow that some of the people in this hobby have. so i've been reseaching diy mh. i've found a few people speek of using a out door mercury vapor light that caost around 40 bucks not using the bulb that comes with it and using a 250w 65k iwasaki bulb. now how true is this ? can it be done? if this works i can just put 1 or 2 more actnic bulbs on my vho set up to off set the color some help any one or a little insite to this please
dez

 

[dez_2121]

i know somebody got some idea on this
dez

 

[rsxs1212]

well you can diy off of reef sights relatively cheaply as well.. go to hellolights and you will find you can diy pretty cheap.. and are you sure you need 2 250w mh and 4 vhos?? that is a ton of light.. some people just run 4 vhos on tanks.. if you really want mh i think you only need 2 175w and maybe 2 vho for supplement.. you can diy vho really cheap though through home depot and lowes.. just buy all hardware there and get the bulbs online or at your lfs

 

[dannieboiz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7933656#post7933656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rsxs1212
well you can diy off of reef sights relatively cheaply as well.. go to hellolights and you will find you can diy pretty cheap.. and are you sure you need 2 250w mh and 4 vhos?? that is a ton of light.. some people just run 4 vhos on tanks.. if you really want mh i think you only need 2 175w and maybe 2 vho for supplement.. you can diy vho really cheap though through home depot and lowes.. just buy all hardware there and get the bulbs online or at your lfs

I 2nd on this opinion.

two 175w SE 10k and 2 VHO actinic will be plenty lights for that size tank.

175w MH are much cheaper than 250w, I wouldn't risk a fire to save a few bucks.

After the cost of a good reflector, and all the DIY parts, you'll be back to where it woudl cost for a complete unit.

LQQk here for some used ones, most will come with bulbs which should last u for the time being until u can save up for the bulbs u want. I say average dual 175w cost about $150 complete with ballast and reflectors and sometimes with bulbs.

new reflectors cost you $30ea, bulbs will be $110, ballast and all that good stuff, you're actually spending more.

 

[RichConley]

$110 for bulbs? Only if you want to get jacked.


You shouldnt be spending more than about $75 for a bulb. There are some really nice bulbs down in the 50s too.

 

[rsxs1212]

yeah i agree 110 a bulb is way over... ive spent 45 on a nice bulb..

 

[dannieboiz]

guys guys, we're thinking faster than we can read. Maybe my words are confusing.

$110/pair.

Go figure 60 bucks shipped each. U gotta calculate shipping into everything nowadays.

Reflectors I would now say $40ea so 80 for the pair shipped.

 

[rsxs1212]

i was thinking.. the way you typed it was not that obvious to what you meant.. you said everything else "each" then for the bulb you said bulbs 110 so it was not our thinking that was the problem..

 

[dannieboiz]

yah, sorry for the confusing. , working and playing don't go together. Especially when u keep on having to look out for someone popping up behind ur back to see what you're donig. lol

 

[rsxs1212]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7937833#post7937833 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dannieboiz
I 2nd on this opinion.

175w MH are much cheaper than 250w, I wouldn't risk a fire to save a few bucks.

im not sure what you are saying here?? isnt a fire more likely with 250w due to the added heat?? if so then why would you say i wouldnt risk a fire to save a few bucks...

After the cost of a good reflector, and all the DIY parts, you'll be back to where it would cost for a complete unit.

allthough this is true.. you will get what you want.. in a unit a lot of times the reflectors arent as good.. not very nice ballasts and as you said used bulbs will most likely be included... if the fixture does come with nice ballasts, reflectors,... you will be spending alot of money i bet.. alot more than you would to diy.. plus diy you get new bulbs that are the bulbs that you want..

new reflectors cost you $30ea, bulbs will be $110, ballast and all that good stuff, you're actually spending more.

true yet not when you think about what your getting

 

[rsxs1212]

i put the quotes in with your original statement

 

[dez_2121]

hay thanx everyone for the info

 

[orlenz]

Re: lights lights and more lights

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7931114#post7931114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dez_2121
i've found a few people speek of using a out door mercury vapor light that caost around 40 bucks not using the bulb that comes with it and using a 250w 65k iwasaki bulb. now how true is this ? can it be done?

Yeah you can do that, the 6500k Iwasaki bulbs work on a mercury vapor ballast.

 

[perpetual98]

What are the odds that you're running an IceCap 660 for those 4 VHOs? If you are, I'd just switch over to T5.

 

[rsxs1212]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7947280#post7947280 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by perpetual98
What are the odds that you're running an IceCap 660 for those 4 VHOs? If you are, I'd just switch over to T5.

true.. good idea.. t5's are what i have on my 75 and i have a 4x54 setup and it is plenty so if you had 4 it would be more than enough.. youd have to get some SLR's (single lamp reflectors) and other than the new bulbs it all transfers over.. endcaps have to be changed or get the seal things i hear they have.. it would be a relatively cheap change if your running a 660...

 

[philagothos]

4 overdriven T5s on a 55?!?! It better be an SPS/clam only tank. I know of people using only 3 normally driven T5s over a 55 and they don't have problems growing anything.

Cost of converting to T5 (per bulb) = $15 (endcap w/ standoff) + ~$20 (most bulbs) + ~$23 (good reflector) = ~$58 per bulb. The good news is that when it comes time to replace bulbs you'll only be out $60-$80 depending on how many you use. Also (depending on who you chose to believe) you can get away with 18 month bulb change intervals. However, if overdriving you should stick to 12 month or less.

Personally, I love my T5s. They are not the cheapest initially, but in time they pay for themselves. Best of luck with whichever light you chose.

-Kevin

 

[Lcattin]

This is an interesting topic. Here is what I have done. I purchased a used dual 250 watt retro MH setup but I needed 3. There was enough room in the box for another ballast so I found one on ebay for $30.00. Other than that, HelloLights seems to have some of the better prices on DIY stuff. About $50 for a ballast and $29 for a socket and reflector. As far as the bulbs go, I found some 14K's on ebay for $9.99 + 9.00 shipping. They have a really nice color. They do not have a brand name on them and they are shipped out of Hong Kong. I have only had them a month but they are working fine.