Question about new MH lighting

spdball · 12-22-2007, 09:44 AM

The existing Mh's I have are the large screw in type, and are extremely hot, even with cooling fans as it is only on a 29gal. My question is that I have seen the new double ended MH bulbs and I wonder if the would work in a standard halogen type of work light like you find in the shop. I have a few of these lights and wondered if I could'nt just but the correct spectrum bulb to put in the fixture.I know the fixtures they advertise look very similar.

BigAl07 · 12-22-2007, 10:14 AM

NOOOOOO!! Don't go swapping types of bulbs like that. There's a lot more involved to this than just bulbs "looks". The electronics have to be designed for the particular type of bulb. If it were to fit (Which I don't think it will) you're risking a fire danger doing that. Honestly there's a reason why MH are so expensive. That ballast has to push a LOVE of power into that bulb.

Good luck and Happy Reefing

deaclauderdale · 12-22-2007, 10:26 AM

I've actually seen someone do exactly what your asking. They changed the bulb and cut and rewired the electrical to a ballast designed to run MH's for reef setups. I think flricordia is the one who did you might want to PM him and see what is needed to make tis successful.

deaclauderdale · 12-22-2007, 10:27 AM

BigAl I just realized that you are a posting machine you joined in March of this year and already 5,000 post...WOW!

mps9506 · 12-22-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaclauderdale

I've actually seen someone do exactly what your asking. They changed the bulb and cut and rewired the electrical to a ballast designed to run MH's for reef setups. I think flricordia is the one who did you might want to PM him and see what is needed to make tis successful.

I attempted this, beware that the halogen bulbs are a different size than the HQI bulbs. what I ended up doing was buying an HQI bracket/socket from online and putting it into a quartz halogen fixture and wiring the socket to an HQI ballast.
I will tell you right now the light output/spread was awful. The fixture got blazing hot, and in the end I didn't save much more than purchasing a DE fixture

If you were doing a bunch you could theoretically save a lot, but then you lose light output and the entire reason for going with a DE HQI bulb is lost.

For the 29 gallon tank you are lighting spd, you can purchase a single 150DE hqi fixture for between $200-$250, it will come with a bulb, proper ballast, and good/better reflector.

spdball · 12-22-2007, 10:53 AM

As usual, I knew I could count on excellent fast advise from you, Thanks! after doing some reading here, I think for about the same price, I'm going to look into the T5 units. I can get a 24" for under 200.00 and from what I've read here on the forum, I won't have such an issue with heat either. Thanks again.

mps9506 · 12-22-2007, 10:54 AM

Good choice

spdball · 12-28-2007, 02:15 PM

Well, I got the T-5's set up. WOW! sooo much nicer. Glad I didn't go through all the hassle with the MH's. a ton cooler when I open the hood. they also have a much nicer appearance since my tank is in the living room, The Mh's used to even over-power the television, and it's on the opposite side of the room. Thanks again for the great info.

BigAl07 · 12-28-2007, 02:18 PM

You do realize we REQUIRE pictures don't you?

Good choice on your lights there.

BigAl07 · 12-28-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaclauderdale

BigAl I just realized that you are a posting machine you joined in March of this year and already 5,000 post...WOW!

Let's just say I read and type a LOT! One of my jobs is "computer based" so I learn while I work

spdball · 12-28-2007, 03:01 PM

Not really much to see yet but it's growing....if the pic actually makes it through.

Frankie · 12-28-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

That ballast has to push a LOVE of power into that bulb.

Good luck and Happy Reefing

Sometimes we type a little to fast

BigAl07 · 12-28-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Sometimes we type a little to fast

I'll have to give you that one! I do type faster than my *wee* brain can process.

12-22-2007, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
spdball Tubeworm Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Question about new MH lighting The existing Mh's I have are the large screw in type, and are extremely hot, even with cooling fans as it is only on a 29gal. My question is that I have seen the new double ended MH bulbs and I wonder if the would work in a standard halogen type of work light like you find in the shop. I have a few of these lights and wondered if I could'nt just but the correct spectrum bulb to put in the fixture.I know the fixtures they advertise look very similar.

12-22-2007, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 11,448 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Question about new MH lighting NOOOOOO!! Don't go swapping types of bulbs like that. There's a lot more involved to this than just bulbs "looks". The electronics have to be designed for the particular type of bulb. If it were to fit (Which I don't think it will) you're risking a fire danger doing that. Honestly there's a reason why MH are so expensive. That ballast has to push a LOVE of power into that bulb. Good luck and Happy Reefing __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

12-22-2007, 10:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
deaclauderdale Posting & Toasting! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lancaster,California Posts: 2,057 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Question about new MH lighting I've actually seen someone do exactly what your asking. They changed the bulb and cut and rewired the electrical to a ballast designed to run MH's for reef setups. I think flricordia is the one who did you might want to PM him and see what is needed to make tis successful. __________________ 100 Gal w/ 55 Gal Sump, (2) 250 watt MH's, 220 watts VHO, Fish: Lawnmower Blenny, Pair Ocellaris Clowns, Royal Gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby, Rainsford Goby Coral: Neon Green Candycane, Brown Candy Cane, Purple and Blue Candycane, GSP-green, Palythoas, Montipora Digita (Green and Purple), Montipora Nodosa, Acro's, Neon Green Favia, Sun Coral, Cynaria, Zoanthids Shrimp: Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Peppermint Shrimp, Tiger Pistol Shrimp Clam: (2) Crocea, That's what I love about saltwater tanks. You get God's best!!

12-22-2007, 10:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
deaclauderdale Posting & Toasting! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lancaster,California Posts: 2,057 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Question about new MH lighting BigAl I just realized that you are a posting machine you joined in March of this year and already 5,000 post...WOW! __________________ 100 Gal w/ 55 Gal Sump, (2) 250 watt MH's, 220 watts VHO, Fish: Lawnmower Blenny, Pair Ocellaris Clowns, Royal Gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby, Rainsford Goby Coral: Neon Green Candycane, Brown Candy Cane, Purple and Blue Candycane, GSP-green, Palythoas, Montipora Digita (Green and Purple), Montipora Nodosa, Acro's, Neon Green Favia, Sun Coral, Cynaria, Zoanthids Shrimp: Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Peppermint Shrimp, Tiger Pistol Shrimp Clam: (2) Crocea, That's what I love about saltwater tanks. You get God's best!!

12-22-2007, 10:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
spdball Tubeworm Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Question about new MH lighting As usual, I knew I could count on excellent fast advise from you, Thanks! after doing some reading here, I think for about the same price, I'm going to look into the T5 units. I can get a 24" for under 200.00 and from what I've read here on the forum, I won't have such an issue with heat either. Thanks again.

12-22-2007, 10:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,408 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Question about new MH lighting Good choice __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-28-2007, 02:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
spdball Tubeworm Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Question about new MH lighting Well, I got the T-5's set up. WOW! sooo much nicer. Glad I didn't go through all the hassle with the MH's. a ton cooler when I open the hood. they also have a much nicer appearance since my tank is in the living room, The Mh's used to even over-power the television, and it's on the opposite side of the room. Thanks again for the great info.

12-28-2007, 02:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 11,448 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Question about new MH lighting You do realize we REQUIRE pictures don't you? Good choice on your lights there. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

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