Taking apart a PC fixture

[DurTBear]

Does anybody have any experience taking apart PC light fixtures? I believe I have the 24" coralife 2x65W PC fixture and I was interested in taking out everything I need to power the actinic bulbs. I just upgraded to a 24" 150W HQI metal halide Sunpod fixture to replace the PC fixture but I want to keep the actinic bulbs from my PC fixture. I want to figure out a way to mount them above my tank so I can still mimic sunrise/sunset (I love the look when just the actinics are on). So if anyone has any experience doing this, I would love to get some advice before I start tearing into the fixture. Thanks!

 

[reefnetworth]

i not sure if the ballast/miro processer holds energy or not. i like your idea though, i think it would look cool!!! i would wait for someone with a little more knowledge or wear rubber gloves when removing it.
OH! dont stand in any water either.:lol: J.K.A., im in a great mood today, thought id sare a little spirit around. have a great day and good luck. let us see some pis when your done!!!
JDM...:smokin:......

 

[DurTBear]

Hahaha! I'm always in a good mood on fridays! Anyway, I'll definitely take some pics when I'm done but it could be a while since I'm by no means an expert at stuff like this. Actually REALLY far from it.

But with the Sunpod being around 8" wide, I have about 4" of extra real estate to play with since my tank is only 12" wide. So I'm thinking of building something with 2x4's and mounting all the actinic lighting stuff on to that and putting a splash guard on it. Does anyone know if you can just buy something from home depot and cut it up? Would acrylic work? Alternatively, I could buy a retrofit kit which might be easier but that would cost more than ripping apart a light fixture that I already have.

 

[musty baby]

I pulled my odyssea apart a few weeks back. The ballasts (2x 2x65watt ballasts) are essentially the same, though not as pretty, as the ballasts for VHO bulbs and probably any other fluorescent. I don't think you'd have any problems yanking the contents and retrofitting your other fixture.