Metal Halide Retro

[Critter]

Hi all, I have a 20gal high that I am thinking of putting in a Metal Halide retro from hellolights. The tank is 24"x12"x16" and the hood is 24"x12"x10.5" ID.

( 150W HL MH Retrofit Kit (HQI)
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1532

I currently have their 2x24" VHO 75wx2 kit in the hood now. I have a couple of questions. If I upgrade to MH, would this MH retro be ok 10" above the water. Would I have to do anything to the hood regarding heat? If I go with the MH (I'm thinking 14k bulb) would I still need to run my VHOs or should I downgrade the bulbs to NO and just actinic. Would I even need them at all?

Thoughts questions concerns all welcome. Thanks in advance.

Pics.

 

[rogersb]

I don't have any experience with MH, but what exactly are you getting them for? I don't see any coral in there.

 

[rigleautomotive]

Hi all, I have a 20gal high that I am thinking of putting in a Metal Halide retro from hellolights. The tank is 24"x12"x16" and the hood is 24"x12"x10.5" ID.

( 150W HL MH Retrofit Kit (HQI)
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1532

I currently have their 2x24" VHO 75wx2 kit in the hood now. I have a couple of questions. If I upgrade to MH, would this MH retro be ok 10" above the water. Would I have to do anything to the hood regarding heat? If I go with the MH (I'm thinking 14k bulb) would I still need to run my VHOs or should I downgrade the bulbs to NO and just actinic. Would I even need them at all?

Thoughts questions concerns all welcome. Thanks in advance.

Critter

You will need a fan in the hood to exhaust the heat.The 14K phoenix bulb does very nice without actinic supps but imo they do add the extra pop to the corals that most folks crave .10 inches is fine as far as the height .

 

[Critter]

If I build it they will come... :lolspin:

I don't have any experience with MH, but what exactly are you getting them for? I don't see any coral in there.

 

[Critter]

ok on the fan, I got alot of pc fans around... with the actinic, would you suggest going NO instead of the VHO since the MH will be 150 already?

Thanks

Critter

You will need a fan in the hood to exhaust the heat.The 14K phoenix bulb does very nice without actinic supps but imo they do add the extra pop to the corals that most folks crave .10 inches is fine as far as the height .

 

[rigleautomotive]

ok on the fan, I got alot of pc fans around... with the actinic, would you suggest going NO instead of the VHO since the MH will be 150 already?

Thanks

VHO would be better but either would be fine

 

[Critter]

10-4. I have to build the bottom part of the setup next... so what do you think of the top? My first diy canopy Off topic... how are your koi doing? My pond froze over even though the spillway has not frozen solid. I got a thermo-pond 3.0 in there to help keep another opening. It's doing a great job.

 

[rigleautomotive]

10-4. I have to build the bottom part of the setup next... so what do you think of the top? My first diy canopy Off topic... how are your koi doing? My pond froze over even though the spillway has not frozen solid. I got a thermo-pond 3.0 in there to help keep another opening. It's doing a great job.

Nice job on the hood,it will work nicely.

Koi are fine,most of the pond freezes when its like this,just a open spot about 5 foot round that stays thawed.There are about 40 fry from last spawn,most are around 4 inches or so .

 

[Critter]

Finally finished the stand for the tank. I'm pretty happy with it! :spin2: Now to get the new halide retro.
base

painted

complete