MH set up
- Thread starter CoolWaters
- Start date
reflector, socket assembly.
For the reflector, you can buy one from an hydroponic store or home hardware, it's like 20$ vs 50. Same thing.
If you don't want one, you can use mylar if you have a top ( i assume you do if you use DIY mh ) but if the distance between the bulb and the mylar is too close it may melt. Mylar = 1$ per feet, 99% reflection.
For the reflector, you can buy one from an hydroponic store or home hardware, it's like 20$ vs 50. Same thing.
If you don't want one, you can use mylar if you have a top ( i assume you do if you use DIY mh ) but if the distance between the bulb and the mylar is too close it may melt. Mylar = 1$ per feet, 99% reflection.
Any reflective material is better than not using one. I went with an electronic aro ballast so I can't give you any info on that one. I will say good luck in the wiring process though it shouldn't be too hard.
Make sure you get a grounded plug of the same guage wire. If you are going to be powering a mogul bulb than get a mogul socket. I got my stuff from hellolights.com.
Make sure you get a grounded plug of the same guage wire. If you are going to be powering a mogul bulb than get a mogul socket. I got my stuff from hellolights.com.
Coolwaters...I hope you have mounted that ballast in a metal box of some sort, and have a way of cooling the ballast off...such as a small fan, M-57/M-58 ballasts do get rather warm...ok hot...and if tehy get too hot they will shut down for a while, or worse for ever. As for your power cord, I used a 14 gauge exstension cord from Lowes/HD and cut the female end off and wired the other end to my ballast...Actually I have 2 ballasts but its the same for each,
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/saltwater-general-discussion/42858-bracks-55-gal-journal-sorts.html
You can scroll down and kind of see how I hooked everything up, granted the fans arent installed in these pics but there are 2- 5" 120v fans in the box now, 1 pushing- 1 pulling. The other thing I did, was the female end othe the cord I cut off I used to run from the ballasts to the light sockets, kind of a quick disconnect. You also need to add a way to switch it off on on, besides just plugging it in and un-plugging it.
http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/saltwater-general-discussion/42858-bracks-55-gal-journal-sorts.html
You can scroll down and kind of see how I hooked everything up, granted the fans arent installed in these pics but there are 2- 5" 120v fans in the box now, 1 pushing- 1 pulling. The other thing I did, was the female end othe the cord I cut off I used to run from the ballasts to the light sockets, kind of a quick disconnect. You also need to add a way to switch it off on on, besides just plugging it in and un-plugging it.
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Ummm, where did I learn to wire stuff up? 
hehehe...I worked as a general contractor/ home builder for 7 years in order to pay my way through college...now I'm a Facilities Engineer at my local children's hospital, been here for the last 5 years or so, and my list goes on ....but lets just say I learned how to do it a long time ago *celebrate
hehehe...I worked as a general contractor/ home builder for 7 years in order to pay my way through college...now I'm a Facilities Engineer at my local children's hospital, been here for the last 5 years or so, and my list goes on ....but lets just say I learned how to do it a long time ago *celebratebrack man can u get a better pic of your set up? i want to see if i can match yours with mine.
mines probably a 18 gauge wire. so does that mean everything has to be 18 gauge wire? even the power plugs? i got a grounded plug at HD so do i just hook 18 gauge wire on it? or should i get a pre-made power cord?
mines probably a 18 gauge wire. so does that mean everything has to be 18 gauge wire? even the power plugs? i got a grounded plug at HD so do i just hook 18 gauge wire on it? or should i get a pre-made power cord?