What HQI to put in my 10 gal Nano?

[Fatman]

Ive been looking around for a small HQI to put in my 10 gal Nano project but the smallest I find is 150 Watt, I heard this may "cook" em , so I was trying to find a 70 watt, but am having no luck. Not even retrofit what gives anyone got any links or tips?

[Fatman]

This is the 150W I wanted to use.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12112&N=2004+113352

Here's a 70W Bulb
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13318&N=2004+113353

But a 150W Socket?
Will it work? Can I do electrical work to tone down the socket?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11826&N=2004+113355

[dakar]

150w over a 10g tank.... some may think that's a little extreme, I exclude myself from that group, but personally using a 70w over my 10g nano now.... at least for the moment... might only be because I haven't yet stumbled into a 150w ballast for cheap.

The 150w socket is a little longer than the 70w bulb so it would need to be cut down a bit, but a little hacking on it and it can be made to work.

If you want to go the 70w route, I think this thread might help you out.
http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=1719

A 70w DE bulb fits perfectly in this halogen worklamp (available just about anywhere WallyWorld, HD TrueValue, ACE for about $10 Regent is the name brand) Though it can be coerced into accepting a 150w lamp holder easily enough.

Check with Perpetual98, he may still have a couple of the 70W 14K Astralux bulbs around. For the ballast here is a link to the cheapest M85 ballst that I've found yet at $66 to fire a 70w HQI (a LOT cheaper than the Fulham ballast I'm using)
http://store.yahoo.com/lamps-now/70wunmam85ba.html

[Fatman]

Yeah Dakar I knew the 150 was too much, but thanks for the info on that 70W Im going to get on it right away. Dakar, Im guessing you have the power connected to the ballast INSIDE the light?

[Fatman]

So Basically I buy the ballast for 66$? From that site? Buy the bulb, and get the Light from Home Depot? And Im ready to go ? (once I connect it all?)

[dakar]

I never said 150w was too much :razz: but 70w seems to be doing the trick for keeping my SPS, and now a clam. But that worklamp reflector makes for a very focused and concentrated area of light, needs about 8-9" of distance from the water surface to cover the 10x20 footprint without wasted light.

Actually I have the ballast secured to the shelf that suspends the 'pendant', AC runs to the ballast then heavy duty extension cord type wiring from the ballst to the pendant. Found some black decorative chain to suspend the fixture from 3 points to hold it steady. I couldn't find an easy way to mount the ballast to the fixture without fabricating some sort of brace, but even then it through it off balance enough for me not to like it. Besides the ballast gets pretty warm, no sense adding any more heat to it or the bulb.

I you want I'll get some pics posted to give you need a better idea of how it's wired and suspended.

[dakar]

So Basically I buy the ballast for 66$? From that site? Buy the bulb, and get the Light from Home Depot? And Im ready to go ? (once I connect it all?)

In a nutshell that's all there is to it.... besides drilling some ventilation holes in what will be the top and some S hooks and chain (or whatever you are going to use to hang it).

Easy as pie :)

[Fatman]

Awsome, Im going to get on it ASAP.
Thanks!

[Fatman]

Hey Dakar need help with this, just got the parts in. Link me or send me a PM with directions.
Thanks!

[dakar]

Woohoo! Let's get some light shining!

Ooops... needed to change the link to the thread I'd started, here it is again. http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=1719

Whatcha need help with on?

PM is on it's way.

[dakar]

No post about burning down the house.... so did you get her to fire up?

[Fatman]

Been swamped between work and classes have'nt had the chance yet :(. Soon! Promise to post pics.

[Fatman]

Ok , finished it!!! Looks short of amazing, makes me consider going from 10k to 14k. I'll post pics soon, Dakar how high above the water line should I have it?

[dakar]

Awesome! You just saved a small fortune over purchasing a prefab pendant. Can't beat a $10 fixture... and the dimpled reflector really surprised me as far as the light output, surprisingly very effective.

Pretty sure mine is about 9" off the top of water. What I did was set up the chains to suspend the fixture and raised/lowered the height and angles by hooking into different links to the point that light was focused into the tank only (none falls outside of the tank brace). A 10"x20" surface pattern is easily managed given the concentration afforded by the halogen reflector.

[Fatman]

My girlfriends parents will kill me if I start hanging stuff from their ceiling so Im planning on extending the hood an extra 6 inches , to give it the height it needs. Pics soon! Promise!

[dakar]

LOL... Angel doesn't give me too much flak over drilling holes and stuff...actually she's encouraging me to drill a few more to sump some tanks into the basement.

Another option would be to put up a nice shelf a bit above the tank and hang the light from there... then decorate the shelf with reefing books or other reefer paraphernalia. <--that should bring in some interesting search engine hits.

[Fatman]

LOL... Angel doesn't give me too much flak over drilling holes and stuff...actually she's encouraging me to drill a few more to sump some tanks into the basement.

Another option would be to put up a nice shelf a bit above the tank and hang the light from there... then decorate the shelf with reefing books or other reefer paraphernalia. <--that should bring in some interesting search engine hits.

Thats actually a really really cool idea about the shelf, sadly theres almost no space around the tank. So Im pretty much stuck to go vertical, which is what I plan to do. Unless her parents decide to move it else where which I doubt, I'll be finishing the sump/refuge this week too. So cant wait.