mh pendant question

[jessp]

i currently have a hamilton m57 ballast hooked up to a hamilton bell pendant. Can i simply replace the bell pendant housing w/ a retro fit setup and plug and go? the bell pendant will not fit in my canopy and the retrofit will.
thanks,
jess

 

[instrance]

Yes, that is easy enough to do. I ended up putting my metal halide system together from scratch.
http://www.hellolights.com/reflectors.html

They went up in price by 5 bucks... Those bastards! LOL

 

[jessp]

was it easy to wire?

 

[instrance]

2 wires and some tape and some shrinking sleeves and you are good to go..

 

[jessp]

cool i'll definately give it a try i want to upgrade my 37 gallon from pc to mh. only thing that scares me is burning my lps and accessibility to tank.

 

[instrance]

What are the dimensions on the tank? I had a hard time with canopies for mine. Its a odd shape. 30x18x24 I had to build it. I have 2 metal halide lamps under it. I tried to keep the top open as much as possible.

 

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9295911#post9295911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by instrance
2 wires and some tape and some shrinking sleeves and you are good to go..

If you're going to do it permanently, I STRONGLY advise soldering the connections before putting shrink tubing over it. It only takes a few minutes, and it's a much more robust connection.

 

[instrance]

Where were you when i was putting mine together? :worried:

 

[jessp]

my tank is the same dimensions, i was only planning on putting one 175w 14k hamilton. and one 65w actinic pc. I didn't want to overdue it and get the tank tooo hot. was hoping to control temp w/ fans.

 

[instrance]

I have 4 fans in my canopy atm. Three of the 4 run all the time. I only run the fourth when its a hot day. Which since i added them i have not needed to run. Are you just going to hang it in the middle of the tank? The brace will get very hot! depending on how low you go... This is why i got two 175w. I have them sitting on both sides of the brace.

 

[nyvp]

I would think you dont need the antinic with the 14k why add the watts and the heat. Get a moonlight if you want some nighttime glow

 

[jessp]

i have two ballasts i could probably do that instead. is there something i could reinforce the brace with? if i did decide to hang it right in the middle. In addition i don't know if the retro is too long for the hood

 

[instrance]

You will end up casting a shadow and a dead spot. Well you could replace it with acrylic. This way you could get a thick piece and not cast the shadow. If you put it in the center. You will have to keep it pretty high. It will melt the brace off..... Don't ask me how I know. I just do :-(

 

[jessp]

i think i'll just leave this tank as is, it is all zoas and lps and the corals are all doing well. when i get my 120 than i'll upgrade everything proper.

 

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9295993#post9295993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
you dont need the antinic
.......
why add the watts and the heat

Blasphemy!

-Jeff

(whose new actinic setup arrived yesterday)

 

[instrance]

I received 2 14k bulbs.. I also asked about new bulbs... Dont know..