Metal Halide Fun

[demodiki]

So here is the deal...my brother in law is an electrician and is insisting on making a MH setup for us. He is asking...what do you want? I have no idea what to tell him.

Currently, we have a standard size 55 gallon tank with 100 lbs of LR and 120 lbs of LS. We only have 2 small fish at the moment. We wanted to have corals at some point but were put off by the cost...now, the cost is zero

So what should I tell him? What size bulbs? How high should they be over the tank? We can't have pendants (we live in an apartment) so I am guessing a hood is the way to go. He wants to build a metal hood to contain the bulbs...man I am just lost about how to guide him through this.

Any advice?

[gooyferret]

demodiki you have a few choices:
1). You can run just 2 MH with 20K bulbs. Thats what i would personally do.
2). Or 2 MH with 10K or 14K and supplement with attinic VHO or PC

I would use either 175 watt or 250watt electronic ballasts 175watt would be just fine though. I would keep them about 8-12" off the tank. And use parabolic reflectors like a retrofit kit. You should find out how much its going to cost him before you start you might be better off buying retrofit kits to do it. I have priced out alot of lighting and found that buying the kit is cheaper in the long run than doing it yourself.

[demodiki]

He actually has a bunch of types of ballasts and bulbs already. He also said that he can get anything wholesale price. I am helping him with his roof this weekend as trade Thanks for the advice!

[lando]

Send him to my house so we can work on a proto-type for you

[aquanaut]

Yeah Ill take a ballast and bulb at wholesale too . J/K

[oyf709]

since no one really give u some detail on the light yet, hope this link will help you a bit http://www.cyberreefguru.com/diy/mh/mh.html
not really telling u wat type but just letting you know most the parts u need for it. Oh and btw, on this site , the ballast this guy talking about should be a TAR not ELEC, i would suggest go for Elec ballast which save energy and won't kill your house circuit.

[demodiki]

That's a great site! Thanks for referring me there!