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Saltwater Beginners A place for saltwater aquarium beginner questions. Also check out the Saltwater Aquarium Beginner's Guide and Aquarium Setup Guides. Setting up a new saltwater aquarium can be a daunting task for some because there is a lot you need to know. Please don't be afraid to ask questions. That's what this forum is all about!

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Old November 4th, 2009  
Fish Lore Newbie
 
Making/Wiring lighting...

Is it possible to make/wire a light ballast that is adequate for a reef tank rather than spending $600 on a high end setup?
mtb9989 is offline  
Old November 5th, 2009  
Fish Mentor
 
Hi Mtb and WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

I wished I knew how to answer your question easily but I'm not a saltwater fish keeper. But I've heard of DIY light ballast. Just not too sure. I hope more experienced members will be on their way to give you good proper answers. Try to ask around. Best of luck!
peacemaker92 is offline  
Old November 5th, 2009  
Moderator
 
Hello MTB. I don't have salt experience either. Have you checked the DIY section of the forum? You might find something there.to Fish Lore!
Ken
aquarist48 is offline  
Old November 5th, 2009  
Fish Keeper
 
The answer is an absolute YES on spending less!! You can't really do a DIY ballast (not that I'm aware of) but you can buy a ballast separately and then do a DIY socket/reflector for either T5 setup or MH. And the $$$ should be far less.

For example, here is a 175 watt MH ballast on clearance:

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...roducts_id=510

Last edited by Oil_Fan; November 5th, 2009 at 09:58 PM.
Oil_Fan is offline  
Old November 5th, 2009  
Fish Mentor
 
I have modified most of my lamp assemblies and even built (or paid someone to build for me) the lamp assembly unit. If you are handy with electrical work, then I don't see why not. Get as efficient electronic ballast you can afford, place it remotely, and wire following its diagram. Rule of thumb is to use same wattage lamps. You can combine the color temperature as you wish.

In my 20gal tall custom built Nano Reef tank I have a wooden frame holding 10 lamps. I use two electronic ballast designed to handle up to three 32W lamps for three T8 20W lamps (10,000K, 18,000K, actinic) each, and one electronic ballast designed to handle four 54W T5HO for four T5HO 24W (all actinic).

The easiest way I've found is to work with the plastic lamp assembly, dismantle the hole thing, paint the interior walls with as bright white spray paint I can find and place two or three T8 lamps, using a remote electronic ballast to run them. I use a soldering iron (not a socket) to wire them, place a rubber cap around, and if needed be, use tie wraps to align the lamps as desired.

Using Normal Output T8 aquarium lamps, I have upgraded a 36" lamp assembly from 20W to 90W. In a 30" lamp assembly from 20W to 75W. In a 24" lamp assembly from 18W to 40W.

For a bit more of money you can purchase retrofit kits of high quality and upgrade your lamp assembly with Power Compacts.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo
pepetj is offline  
Old November 6th, 2009  
Fish Bum
 
yes i'v evean done LEDs many times look up DIY aquarium LEDs and try nano-reef.com
heres a link to the DIY scetion
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showforum=9
bradisfun is offline  
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