Want to build DIY Metal Halide Fixture!!

[FunkiFysh]

Hi Everyone! I am wanting to build my own metal halide fixture for my 46 gallon bow reef tank.

I can not afford the fixtures out on the market, so I thought I would try to build one for a lot less.

Can anyone give me advice or some directions for this project? What do I need to buy? Thanks!

[sasquatch]

Funky? what part are you trying to make? reflectors or housing, let us know and we'll link you up! Steve

[FunkiFysh]

Everything! I dont know the first part in making one.

I dont want to make a hood covering though.

[AdvanceAquatics]

What type of watt are you looking for? say you did a 150watt set up. you need 150watt magnetic MH ballast, the bulb say a 5500K for example, mogul socket, bulb housing and a mounting bracket to start.

Some extra wire codering gun is best but if not deffently get conectors. you can make a plexi galss box to house the bulb, drill out one sideto place the socket in and the top of box is best to either leave open (release heat and to replace bulb, or hing it like a door with 1/8 drilled holes to vent). you could then either mount in canopy or hang, could paint all sides but the side facing tank like I did. i also boxed the ballast so that you can get to it from the top of the canopy but its protected from water on the inside. i also took a new extention cord fom HD, one with the third ground prong and wired that into a simple on/off switch. ran all wiring in rubbler clips and black silacone tubing, which is at HD also. this way water could get to anything. just seal it all off.

the bulb is still pricy but that plus the rest it was probley abot 1/2 the price of the other set ups and has worked great for the past 7months...

[FunkiFysh]

I am not sure of the wattage either....I would like to have great light for my LPS and decent light for some SPS if I decided to buy some.

Is 150 watt good for that? Do you have a picture of yours I could look at?

[Frankie]

It won't cost less to build your own. Just go on ebay and buy a used retro. Thats about as cheap as your going to get. A 175watt should do you fine on a tank that size.

[AdvanceAquatics]

That maybe true or might find a good deal with no work but i spent $150 total with bulbs, even a retro is like $175-180 plus the bulbs and if bought used you going to replace the bulbs anyway. failed to mention i have two MH ( 10000K icecape whites under the canopy) ill post pic for you just so you have a better ideal though.

but try what FFranky said check out the sales on Ebay...never know.

[mps9506]

I used this on my 40 breeder:
PFO 36in Parallel Reflector w/ mogule socket: Premium Aquatics

It's an expensive reflector, but it will hold either one MH bulb in the center or one on each end. If you are not putting florescent bulbs in the reflector this can be hung by itself if you put a support down the middle of the back of the reflector lengthwise and attach hangers to it. It will allow light to escape from the ends if you do it though.

I think I purchased all my ballasts for the last few years from Hellolights. You can purchase the approriate bare ballast for cheap, but you will still need to purchase a large Fuse box or something to mount them in.

I do agree with Frankie, it's about the same price and less hassle to buy a retro kit, but in my case I wanted spefics items that I couldn't get in kits, but I knew exactly what I wanted