help

[hummer]

here is the light"s i found i'm handy and was going to make a hood what u all think about this stuff?

[graphixx]

I am not the lighting guru, I am not sure about the ballast and the socket but I know you do not want to run that particular bulb. the spectrum that bulb will run in will not do good for the tank. you need to make sure the "k" rating on the bulb is somehting that is sufficient for a reef. I am sure someone will chime in about the ballast and the socket. but I would say no to the bulb

[lReef lKeeper]

those fixtures have to be hardwired into you homes circuit panel. the electrician cost would probably be more than buying a fixture

[jojo22]

I wouldn't use the mercury vapor lights. I have heard of some people doing this and it working well but I think they are kind of the exception to the rule.
But like Greg I'm not a light GURU and could be totally wrong here.

[hummer]

what about the base . and a 175 aquareum bulb would that work? i can wire it in no problem long as its 110.

[lReef lKeeper]

i am not sure if they are 110 or 220. but i know for sure they will have to be hardwired. i thought about that, then decided agaist them. i would just keep your eyes open for some deals on e-bay or somewhere for a retro kit deal.

[hummer]

thanks guy 4 the input u all r so smart

[dakar]

I wouldn't mind tearing one of those apart just to see what ballast they are using... As a *general rule* (not one I subscribe to for all applications) mixing ballast type and bulb types is not always a good idea... Magnetic ballasts for mercury vapor lamps use a different capacitor than those for Metal Halide application, usually causing the bulb to burn brighter, but *may* introduce life expectancy issues of the bulb... with a notable exception, the Iwasaki 6500K halides are designed for use on MV or MH ballasts, but the MV is recommended. They really shine (pun intended).

There are some that have great success using MV lamps, but as mentioned previously they are they are generally the exception to the norm, thier sucess could likely be attributed to many other factors as well as the lamps they use.

Experimentation in itself is always fun... just be kind and share in any results or when the smoke falls out.

[peregrinus]

i have used light like that with good luck... look for the first tank of the month on this site and that tank have 2 175 MV.. :D

[dakar]

Knew that post would drag you outta the bushes Proof positive that MV lamps can work, we know for sure they can grow Xenia like wildfire... and lots of other animals too...