#2: Lighting Ballasts - Aquarium Advice

dansemacabre · 01-11-2004, 05:59 PM

OK, I'll have 2 Fulham Workhorse 7s for my PCs, and 3 electronic [acronym:1faf24f8e8="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:1faf24f8e8] ballasts. The reflector came with the mogul sockets and braces, with the braces riveted to the reflector. There's a hole in the middle of the brace and the reflector allowing the wires to go through to the side behind the reflector. I'm going to use U-nails (not hammered in all the way, but enough to keep the cables raised off the reflector) to support them. It came with about 8-10" of wire already wired to the mogul sockets. So, my question is this...it's not long enough to make it out of the hood, so how should I connect the wires to the ballast? Electrical tape, a cap, a cap filled with a non-conducting paste that will harden and keep moisture out, or should I just drill a hole in the top and pipe the wires out the top? I really don't want to do this, as it will make the hood look bad, but if I have to, I have to. My other question, where should I mount these ballasts? With the PCs, I have 8' moisture-proof endcaps, so I have about 8' to work with. Underneath the tank in the stand? On the wall off to the left (the right is where the sump is)? Where's a good place to keep them cool and away from moisture. Thanks!!

P.S. - Duplicate post, this post also appears in the general discussion forum, but I also wanted it here to get more exposure, esp. from the [acronym:1faf24f8e8="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:1faf24f8e8] crowd.

yaksplat · 01-12-2004, 12:42 AM

Use a combination of your ideas. First, get some wire nuts, fill them with some of that electrical grease, screw the nut onto the wires and then wrap the nut and about 3" with electrical tape. It's been a long time since I did any industrial wiring, but that's what we would do for systems that would be exposed to the elements as a secondary precaution. I don't really remember the name of the grease, but it should be available at homedepot.

Jim

Absinthena · 01-22-2004, 01:59 AM

Hey, I was looking for information on aquarium tops and I saw MAYNARD. I have never run into a Maynard admiring fish keeping person. Great.

yaksplat · 01-22-2004, 08:45 AM

heh, most people don't even know what he looks like

01-11-2004, 05:59 PM	#1
dansemacabre Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 443 Images: 19	#2: Lighting Ballasts OK, I'll have 2 Fulham Workhorse 7s for my PCs, and 3 electronic [acronym:1faf24f8e8="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:1faf24f8e8] ballasts. The reflector came with the mogul sockets and braces, with the braces riveted to the reflector. There's a hole in the middle of the brace and the reflector allowing the wires to go through to the side behind the reflector. I'm going to use U-nails (not hammered in all the way, but enough to keep the cables raised off the reflector) to support them. It came with about 8-10" of wire already wired to the mogul sockets. So, my question is this...it's not long enough to make it out of the hood, so how should I connect the wires to the ballast? Electrical tape, a cap, a cap filled with a non-conducting paste that will harden and keep moisture out, or should I just drill a hole in the top and pipe the wires out the top? I really don't want to do this, as it will make the hood look bad, but if I have to, I have to. My other question, where should I mount these ballasts? With the PCs, I have 8' moisture-proof endcaps, so I have about 8' to work with. Underneath the tank in the stand? On the wall off to the left (the right is where the sump is)? Where's a good place to keep them cool and away from moisture. Thanks!! P.S. - Duplicate post, this post also appears in the general discussion forum, but I also wanted it here to get more exposure, esp. from the [acronym:1faf24f8e8="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:1faf24f8e8] crowd.

01-22-2004, 01:59 AM	#3
Absinthena Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 37 Images: 1	Maynard! Hey, I was looking for information on aquarium tops and I saw MAYNARD. I have never run into a Maynard admiring fish keeping person. Great.

01-22-2004, 08:45 AM	#4
yaksplat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: orchard park, ny Posts: 430 Images: 2	heh, most people don't even know what he looks like __________________ If consequence dictate my course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught.....

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01-12-2004, 12:42 AM	#2
yaksplat Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: orchard park, ny Posts: 430 Images: 2	Use a combination of your ideas. First, get some wire nuts, fill them with some of that electrical grease, screw the nut onto the wires and then wrap the nut and about 3" with electrical tape. It's been a long time since I did any industrial wiring, but that's what we would do for systems that would be exposed to the elements as a secondary precaution. I don't really remember the name of the grease, but it should be available at homedepot. Jim __________________ If consequence dictate my course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught.....