DIY 150w MH now setup *couple pics*
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6455
Printed Date: July 27 2025 at 8:55am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: DIY 150w MH now setup *couple pics*
Posted By: bambbrose
Subject: DIY 150w MH now setup *couple pics*
Date Posted: May 04 2005 at 2:21am
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I just finished my DIY MH setup tonight. I started off by talking
to faviasteve here online, he has the hookups on Mh stuff and took good
care of me. Overall, it cost <$150 for everything. That includes ballast, ignitor, capacitor, wiring supplies, light switch, Regent lighting fixture, spring loaded MH socket, and Phoenix 14k 150w bulb. I also am about finished with my stand. Still need to finish the door, and then I'm going to start on the canopy, which will hang over the top. The way I have the lighting mounted now it just temporary, and lets it overflow everywhere lol. The tank is just a temporary one to keep my rocks healthy until my custom cube arrives (its running a week late  )Well enough talking, here are the pics. Flash On  Flash Off  The DIY pendant  FTS. No coral, no fish, nothing but some coraline, little pods/worms, and my weird pink (looks purple in pics) sponges  Left side  From the top  Full shot of main rock for my cube  The safest (IMO) way to wire. Solder, heatshrink, tape, cover in flex tubing, and tape again   the electronics, still need to organize the wires  and my lightswitch, which will be covered by the door of course. I want to set up a timed one eventually, but this was easy and I didn't want to have to unplug it daily  Thanks for looking  |
Replies:
Posted By: bambbrose
Date Posted: May 04 2005 at 12:52pm
| blah, my website is having some issues. Pics should be up shortly. Sorry guys |
Posted By: faviasteve
Date Posted: May 04 2005 at 1:30pm
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Brady did a great job retrofitting the DE socket into the halogen fixture. ------------- Steve Burton Logan, Utah |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: May 04 2005 at 1:32pm
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Your DIY project looks great! I have two questions:
1. How hot does the ballast get? You may want to place a ceramic tile or glass between the ballast and the wood shelf. 2. Why did you place the pendant at that angle? I would think you could concentrate the light over the tank if the pendant was placed at a full 90 degrees to the water. (it may just be a mounting issue). Good luck. |
Posted By: Chris
Date Posted: May 04 2005 at 8:15pm
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Looks good! How hot does the fixture get? Does anyone know if the uncooled fixture could cause problems? |
Posted By: coreyk
Date Posted: May 04 2005 at 8:25pm
| nice .. did the pendant come with UV glass? |
Posted By: bambbrose
Date Posted: May 04 2005 at 8:37pm
The ballast already has a 4x4" tile underneath it, it's just covered by the wiring in that pic  It's only at that angle for the time being. I'm building a canopy that will sit 9" above the tank, and then I'm going to mount the pendant flush into the canopy so that you can't see the ugly backside. I'll also probably move my wiring up there at that point and add 2 computer fans. The housing really isn't getting all that hot, nothing to be concerned about I don't think. My water param's are almost good to go, but I move home this weekend to cedar city, and I'm gonna wait until then before adding any fish/coral. I might hit up that new store in St. G for my fish. From everythign that I can find, It says that the glass is UV resistant |
Shane H wrote:Posted By: RockStarFish
Date Posted: August 07 2005 at 1:09am
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can you hook me up? |