DIY - Metal Halide Retrofit Kit for 29 Gallon Reef Aquarium Project

JayBeDriften · 07-25-2006, 09:34 PM

Hello everyone, I know I have lurked around the forums and was interested in trading up my T5 High Output Lighting for a Metal Halide system and I know I told Rob that I would wait until christmas time but I stumbled across a company based out in California and could not pass up their Retrofit Metal Halide system. As everyone might now I did not know much about Metal Halide systems and I contacted their customer service which was extremely professional and actually helpful. I purchased a 150 watt Metal Halide HQI Retrofit Kit with Electronic Ballast, 10,000 kelvin XDE bulb, Reflector, 18 Gauge Wires and bolts all for $200.00 with shipping.

This is going to be placed on a 29 Gallon Reef that I setup in my bedroom for my Black Seahorse, Morish Idol, and 4 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs and 4 Turbo Snails. I'm going to purchase the wood from Home Depot this weekend and create a custom canopy for the tank. This will give me just over 5 watts per gallon. It was suggested that I mount the lights about 12 inches from the surface of the water.

Would anyone else have any other suggestions concerning the distance away from the surface of the water? Do you think the price was a good deal? I'm seeing how this little project goes on a larger scale before I decide to creat a custom hood for the 180 gallon tank in my living room with 4 to 5 250 watt Metal Halide HQI fixtures from them.

**wwest** · 07-25-2006, 09:45 PM

Lights for aquariums are a lesson that i dont think ill ever learn, however do you think MH's are to much of a light for a 29 gallon tank? i mean the price, i would of went that direction as well

im just wondering for future investments..

JayBeDriften · 07-25-2006, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwest

Lights for aquariums are a lesson that i dont think ill ever learn, however do you think MH's are to much of a light for a 29 gallon tank?

Well I'm going by the rule of thumb for watts per gallon from the math I would be getting around 5 watts per gallon and most of the professional pet stores I go in with the most beautiful coral I have seen in my life are pushing anywhere from 4 to 7 watts per gallon so I'm making the assumption that it is okay. Gwen is pushing 140 watts on her 29 gallon nano and I believe the only problem that she has experienced is excessive heat which the automatic air conditioning within my apartment and fans should take care of. I just thought that I would start off with a small project and see how good it comes out and then move on to something big and exciting.

**wwest** · 07-25-2006, 09:57 PM

im looking forward to seeing how the project goes, i was just curious i dont know that much about lighting at all. lol dont think i ever will to be honest

but i am running a power compact. and its only pushing 1.6 watts per gallon and my corals are kicking but. more so now with the kalk ( or so it seems anyways ) lol

JayBeDriften · 07-25-2006, 10:12 PM

I will keep everyone posted on this project. The lights should get her Monday so that give me the weekend to start putting together the wooden canopy. Can't wait.

gwen_o_lyn · 07-25-2006, 11:42 PM

I'm seeing lots of talk of watts per gallon- its somewhat inaccurate. Check out this thread watts per gallon poll

If I have a 500g tank with a coral sitting 5 inches from a 250 watt bulb and thats the only light on the tank... and I have another tank which is 30g and the same coral is sitting 5 inches from a 250 watt bulb.... how does watts per gallon matter? The intensity of the light is the same.

It's the same as the fish per gallon rule. A fish that is 3" and 2" thick is much different than a fish that is 3" and a 1/4" thick.

My tank is 12g and my light is 150w. I don't recommend that setup for anyone new in this hobby. The 70w would be a better option for a tank my size. We also cool our house to 72-73* and heat was a major issue.... actually it was still winter when I had the heat issue and the house was about 65* then.

Jay- you should be ok with a 150w on a 29g tank. You just may need a small fan blowing across the tank though. I would just mount the lights so they are adjustable and you can find the right height. My lights sit on legs and are only a few inches from the water which causes much more heat.

fat walrus · 07-25-2006, 11:54 PM

have u done research on the reliability and safety records of this retro-fit company in california?

gwen_o_lyn · 07-25-2006, 11:56 PM

Oh I forgot to mention, I love your Moorish Idol- How long have u had it?

JayBeDriften · 07-25-2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwen_o_lyn

I would just mount the lights so they are adjustable and you can find the right height. My lights sit on legs and are only a few inches from the water which causes much more heat.

Gwen_o_lyn, I was curious your using a Current USA Sunpod Fixture on your 29 gallon aquarium. The legs it comes with allow the fixture to sit just about 2 inches to 2.5 inches away from the water surface correct? Would you say that 6 inches from the water surface is sufficient or should I take the companies suggestion of sitting them 12 inches away?

JayBeDriften · 07-26-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwen_o_lyn

Oh I forgot to mention, I love your Moorish Idol- How long have u had it?

Gwen_o_lyn, thank you! I have had the Morish Idol for about 1 month now. I purchased him from a dealer that I have a pretty good relationship with and he had him for about 2 months prior to my purchase. I understand that the main issue with these guys in captivity is that they normally refuse to eat. However, the one I have must have a high metabolism because he will eat anything I through in the tank. He even attempted to ingest Blue Legged Hermits that I added since they were about the same size as his pellet food.

JayBeDriften · 07-26-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fat walrus

have u done research on the reliability and safety records of this retro-fit company in california?

Yes I have and I have even contacted people who have dealt with them in the past and are extremely pleased with their service and products. The even guarantee their equipment for 3 years of flawless operation.

gwen_o_lyn · 07-26-2006, 12:11 AM

< this thread is being interupted by a smiley for Blubber!! ha

If the company says 12 inches, then go with that. There is a reason for that. My lights are meant to sit right above the tank on the legs.

Glad to hear your moorish eats well

I'm off to bed.

fat walrus · 07-26-2006, 12:15 AM

JBD, does you retro HQI have a shield?

thanks for the spagetti, gwen! i really hit the gut. lol

JayBeDriften · 07-26-2006, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fat walrus

JBD, does you retro HQI have a shield?

thanks for the spagetti, gwen! i really hit the gut. lol

Fat Walrus, Yes their including the Ultravoilet Shield as well.