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Originally Posted by tecwzrd
www.aquariumguys.com has a 12" Aqualight w/2-18W 50/50 complete unit for $48.99 and considering the bulbs are around $12 each and a ballast is going to run $30+ IMO it's not worth trying to build it yourself which typically saves more with larger setups. |
I saw that, but it's not what I'm looking for. I actually went with a 2x9w mini-aqualight. My goal is to retrofit an existing hood to get some actinics in a 15 gallon tall AGA.
I have completely disassembled the aqualight, but I need a little help.
I have the following parts:
- Two 9 watt ballasts, each with a white wire and a black wire (with a connector to one side of the bulb attached to the black wire)
- one three-prong electrical cord terminating in a white wire, black wire, and a green wire with a ring terminal on the end
- one switch with two wires emanating from it: one wire is all black, one wire is black with a white stripe
- two black wires, ending in bare wire on one end, a connector to the other side of the bulb on the other end.
I do not care about installing a switch. I intend to seal the ballasts in a small enclosure and locate it away from the canopy, probably in a small standalone box behind the tank. I am assuming:
-I should tie the two white wires emanating from the ballasts (ending in bare wire) together with the white wire from the electrical cord (solder/heatshrink)
-I should tie the two black wires (ending in bulb connectors on one side, bare wire on the other) into the black wire from the electrical cord
-I should do something with the green loop wire - ground it somehow?
-I should connect the bulbs and pray.
Is this correct? I will not proceed with this until I get some responses, so please respond. I want to do this tonight, but I don't want to screw it up - want to do it right the first time. Can anyone help me?
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