Building a DIY Canopy for Metal Halides.
Project Started 02/03/00-02/19/00
Status - Completed
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| After building the new hood for the 55 gallon tank using
Power Compact lighting, I decided it was time to focus on the 46 gallon
tank again. So I bought a 250 Watt Iwasaki metal halide retro kit. Two
bulbs, single piece dual ballast. I'll try to be descrptive as I can,
although I am writing this now that I am finished with the project. |
Starting Tank Specifics:
- Standard plastic dual florescent bulb hood with one actinic and
one trichormatic bulb
- One 24" 35 watt power compact fixture with white bulbs.
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Here is a view from inside the canopy. Made of all pine, the total wood
costs were about $30. The nobs on the cover, and the three hinges added
about $10 to the project. The fans are from Radio shack, and are about
$13 each. From target I picked up two extension cords to wire the fans
at $1.40 each. The two lights you can find for prices ranging from $300
- $400. They are the standard PFO dual lamp retro kit, with Iwasaki bulbs. |
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I also grabbed a pair of $4 plastic speaker covers at Radio Shack to
cover the fan holes. Its not perfect, but it does help a good bit. |
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Here is a view from the inside of the mounted fan on one side. Boy those
reflectors are shiney! |
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Here is how I did my wiring harness coming out of the back of the canopy. |
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Here is the ballast, and the dual timers. There are two switches and
two power cords from the ballast. I am currently running on a 12 hour
light cycle. The fans right now are not on a timer, and are always on.
I will be getting a little splitter and putting the fans on the times
as well. |
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Here is the final view. The lights are too bright for the flash to go
off. I guess I could have taken the shot with the lights out, but this
is more fun. I did the best I could covering up the back, and leaving
enough space for heat & are to escape. It does cast a good bit of
light on the white wall though. From this view, and the inside view, you
can see how I have the sides overlap the tank, and sit down about an inch
on each side, with runners in the canopy that actually sit on the edge
of the tank. This seems to make the whole affair far more stable. |
