Metal halide question.

[fareforce]

I saw these, but am wondering, are these the right kind of MH's for saltwater? For $50 each they would be great to retro fit into something. It looks like the ballast is there too! =)


8 used 400W halide lights--$50 each
15 used 1000W halide lights-- $50 each All work, replace during a remodel.


http://images.craigslist.org/01020901040701031120070607f490b47efd3a1c515700d5a5.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/01010901020101030620070607dcc10dccef31ec0ad300cb33.jpg

[amike5]

Most people believe that MH's have only a 12 month life for an aquarium. After that period of time the bulb may still work but the par value would be inadequate. I would advise against using used bulbs; besides, for a little more you can get new bulbs.

edit: I see you have posted pics now and I see you are talking about actual fixtures. If you can incorporate them into something and install the proper K bulbs into them, why not?

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10278983#post10278983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amike5
Most people believe that MH's have only a 12 month life for an aquarium. After that period of time the bulb may still work but the par value would be inadequate. I would advise against using used bulbs; besides, for a little more you can get new bulbs.

Im not looking at them for the bulbs.. I would replace those, but more for the ballast, and soket. Living in Alaska it is very, very expensive to ship balasts up here. These are already here.. Just wondering if they will work with the bulbs we usually use for saltwater.

[Bebo77]

the ones on the left or the right?

[BCreefmaker]

find out their wattage specs, what type of bulb sockit it has, what type of ballast it is, then see if you can find bulbs in the proper spectrum. most large, im assuming industrial/commercial, are ment for 3300-5500k bulbs, not that good for corals alone.

[Reefbox]

MH bulbs reflect much more light when they are positioned in the horizontal position. With those fixtures the bulbs will be in the vertical position.
Other than that detail I'm not sure how it will work out.

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279022#post10279022 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
the ones on the left or the right?

The ones on the left are the 400w ones, and the ones on the right are the 1000w ones.

[Bebo77]

they use something like at at the atlantis reef....

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279046#post10279046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefbox
MH bulbs reflect much more light when they are positioned in the horizontal position. With those fixtures the bulbs will be in the vertical position.
Other than that detail I'm not sure how it will work out.

If I am retro-fitting can't i just tears these all apart, and mount the socket horizontally?

[Bebo77]

they are commercial reflectors.. can you fit those in your canopy?

[Travis L. Stevens]

Yes you can use these. You'll have to convert them to a 120v so they can plug in to the wall, but you can use them with a new bulb. I accidently passed up a truck load of them for free when our local WalMart was remodelling. The construction group that they had hired was going to throw them all away. At the time, I didn't know you could convert the 220v to a 120v fairly easily.

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279093#post10279093 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
they are commercial reflectors.. can you fit those in your canopy?

I'll make custom reflectors, and mount the sokets veritcally. =)

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279104#post10279104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
Yes you can use these. You'll have to convert them to a 120v so they can plug in to the wall, but you can use them with a new bulb. I accidently passed up a truck load of them for free when our local WalMart was remodelling. The construction group that they had hired was going to throw them all away. At the time, I didn't know you could convert the 220v to a 120v fairly easily.

I didn't even think about the 220/ 110 thing.. How do you convert them from 220 to 110?

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279127#post10279127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
I didn't even think about the 220/ 110 thing.. How do you convert them from 220 to 110?

I'll be honest, I can't remember. Sorry. Google's your friend, though :)

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279188#post10279188 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
I'll be honest, I can't remember. Sorry. Google's your friend, though :)

Cool.. No a prob.. I think I will go pick a few of the 400w ones up!

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279219#post10279219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fareforce
Cool.. No a prob.. I think I will go pick a few of the 400w ones up!

Sorry I can't be of any more assistance at the moment. I'm on my way out the door to head home :D

[sabbath]

They usually are multi tap. Meaning that there is a wire for 120volts,220volts,277volts... Pick ones that still has the labels that are readable and follow chart or get someone who is comfortable with it. Cap all unused wire's as they will have back Fed power on them.

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279552#post10279552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sabbath
They usually are multi tap. Meaning that there is a wire for 120volts,220volts,277volts... Pick ones that still has the labels that are readable and follow chart or get someone who is comfortable with it. Cap all unused wire's as they will have back Fed power on them.

Sweet! Thanks a bunch!! Luckily I am friends with a few electricians.. I will let them do the wireing! :D

[sabbath]

Your welcome.

[kau_cinta_ku]

what type of ballast do they have? they look like sodium fixtures

[sabbath]

He said they where MH. Mercury vapor,High pressure sodium.... All look the same on out side.

[fareforce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10279638#post10279638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kau_cinta_ku
what type of ballast do they have? they look like sodium fixtures

They are Mh fixtures. The 400w have m58/59 ballasts.

[sabbath]

Good!:rollface: