JProx
Aquarium Advice Freak
some misc. stuff i forgot to mention with my last post, but you should already know this, its all common sense stuff.
you will need to keep the bulb covered and protected from the water, most commerical units and diy'ers use a glass tank top, this is not optional, and is pretty much mandatory. the reason for this is MH bulbs get very hot, and if a few drops of water touch the glass of the bulb, it will shatter and could start a fire, electrocute people / tank inhabitints.
don't exceed the wattage of the ballast. if the ballast is rated for 100watts don't use a 250watt bulb. also use a cord (to supply power from the electrical socket to the ballast) that is rated to handle the current draw, ask someone at home depot for recommendations. also when you finally get everything mounted and wired, and when you turn the unit on for the first time, don't be alarmed if the bulb takes 20mins to fully ignite its very normal for that happen.
you will need to keep the bulb covered and protected from the water, most commerical units and diy'ers use a glass tank top, this is not optional, and is pretty much mandatory. the reason for this is MH bulbs get very hot, and if a few drops of water touch the glass of the bulb, it will shatter and could start a fire, electrocute people / tank inhabitints.
don't exceed the wattage of the ballast. if the ballast is rated for 100watts don't use a 250watt bulb. also use a cord (to supply power from the electrical socket to the ballast) that is rated to handle the current draw, ask someone at home depot for recommendations. also when you finally get everything mounted and wired, and when you turn the unit on for the first time, don't be alarmed if the bulb takes 20mins to fully ignite its very normal for that happen.