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10/12/2010, 08:54 PM | #1 |
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150W Metal Halide upgrade. Did I make a mistake?
Hi all. I just bought an Odyssea 150W metal halide w actinic T5 Fixture for my 24G Nano cube with glass top. Although the fixture is definetley producing the light, I can't figure out how to keep it contained to the tank and not blinding me when I sit on my couch or look at the tank from the reflection off the top of the water. It literally lights up my room and the floors and walls when it's on. It is made to fit this tank. My tank width is 18" and the fixture itself is 17". Legs are adjustable but the fixture is not hanging over the edges of my tank. What can I do to contain the light to the tank. I have never had a metal halide and wasn't expecting this. As I can't return for refund but only exchange, this fixture is a little more light than expected. I have had this fixture for a day and want to sell it along with 2 spare T5 bulbs if can't tone down the "stage lights" in my living room! Please help with any advice.
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10/12/2010, 09:02 PM | #2 |
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Never had MH myself but maybe you can try a canopy (if you don't have one) or move the light higher/lower over the tank to see which spot has the least light coming into the room. Just shooting ideas out JMO
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Addicted.... Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef in the works |
10/12/2010, 09:16 PM | #3 |
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you can purchase light diffusers at walmart that can diffuse the light to something more manageable. this is akin to everyday house lamp fixtures - they spread the light out to the whole room instead of just having a glaring bright bulb to look at. In your case, you only want to line the edges of the ballast so that the water that is directly underneath the tank get the full treatment.
you may not want to run the T5's at the same time, and maybe just run them with actinics in a sunrise/sunset schedule. |
10/12/2010, 09:37 PM | #4 |
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Location: Dallas, TX
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How far off the water is the light?
You will generally see some light spill with halide lights. You could try to fashion something to block the light from spilling. Are you still running the glass top? If so, take that off and see if it helps. You will probably want to take it off anyway because it will hold heat into the tank and that will be an issue with the MH above it. The glass could also be causing a reflection. But overall, any time you have a light that is not enclosed in a hood it will be much more noticeable. |
10/13/2010, 08:46 AM | #5 |
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I had the same light on the same tank and its not that bad man... The fixture is already low as it could be. I now have the sunpod and the light spill is not as bad, but it does still light up its surrroundings. You're very likely to see similar results with other fixtures/pendants unless the reflectors are focusing the light in a way it wouldnt cause light spill. Like someone said earlier though, light diffusers provide an easy fix.
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10/13/2010, 11:01 PM | #6 |
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you can always go the low-tech route and just tape toilet paper round the edges
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10/14/2010, 11:34 PM | #7 |
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I have bad light spill from my 250w. I am looking into DIY Barn-doors for the pendant made out of aluminum painted to prevent corrosion.
If you figure anything out, let us know
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10/15/2010, 08:24 PM | #8 |
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I made diy canopies for my tanks. They are really easy if you can cut wood. Just cut 1 x 6 0r 8" wood the exact measurements of tank rim. Buy those little meta; "L" brackets at hardware store and screw the wood together from inside using the brackets. Then cut a piece of plywood for a lid. Screw the light on the underside of this lid and lay it on your wood perimeter you just made. Lay the top onto your wood perimeter. This does a couple things. First it lifts the light 6 to 8" above water surface. This keeps it cooler and prevents salt spray from hitting your bulb. It also keeps all the light within the tank. Paint or stain the outside of canopy whatever color your desire. Takes about an hour or two to build and works and looks awesome.
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10/15/2010, 09:36 PM | #9 |
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Thanks everyone! I will check into the light diffusers. I would love to make a canopy for the tank but...although I am very creative, I don't have the tools to do it. Plus the tank has a little bow to the front. Thank you all for your advice. I'll let you know what route I try and what works! BUT.....I think I'll scrap the "toilet paper" idea!! Thanks anyway though!! LMAO!!
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10/16/2010, 11:13 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef |
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10/16/2010, 11:13 PM | #11 |
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Someone made me an offer on th MH's...I sold them... I couldn't handle the brightness all over my living room. PLUS, all I kept seeing through the bright light was $$ signs! LOL!
I already have a 36 watt T5 HO fixture. 18w 10k and 18w actinc. I ordered another just like it. That will give me 72w T5HO individual reflectors. No worries about heat and elecric bill. Can anyone tell me what coral I can grow with this lighting? They are individual reflectors. Plus I have an Ecoxotic actinic LED strip. All this is over a 24G Nano. Glass top. Thanks for all your help!! Last edited by raesunrae; 10/16/2010 at 11:19 PM. Reason: wrong word |
10/17/2010, 02:03 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
you can prolly have anything you want in the tank!
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One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef |
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10/17/2010, 02:46 PM | #13 |
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t5 can grow sps they just don't penetrate as deep so you will need to put them higher in the tank.
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10/17/2010, 09:36 PM | #14 |
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Location: Nashville, Tn.
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Cool! I have a friend that traded me a bunch of frags( like 11) for my 12G nano. Included was 3 different colored birds nest. He knows my wattage and is kind of doing an "experiment" under my T5's. I placed them all the way at the top. I'll let you kmow how it goes! Wish me luck!
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Tags |
fixture, light, light upgrade, metal halide 150 watt, nano |
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