MH Woes

[|squee|]

8000K was too blue for me at first... until my eyes adjusted and found 6500K too yellow. I believe 8000K brings out the fresh green colour.

[Splendid Warrior]

hope this helps

http://www.petfrd.com/forum/articles...ticle&artid=28
http://www.petfrd.com/forum/articles...ticle&artid=29

Thanks for the links dude!

[mordrake]

Ok my setup is all set, just gotta get some screws fit it in and i'll take a photo and show it to you guys.
Now im concerned because the lighting's a bit blueish for my liking.. i think it should be around 7500 or 8000k.
Wonder how much a new bulb would set me back?

Jerome, try the Aqualux 150W 8000k DE bulb.
I'm using 3 for my tank. love the colour as i found my osram bulbs too yellow.

can get from Victron.

http://www.viclite.com/astraaq.htm

[xxdivinityxx]

Thanks for the heads up, Melvin.

I finally managed to snap some pics of the setup, though not of its construction (which was relatively simple).

Basically as mentioned earlier, i purchased a sturdy clothes rack from NTUC at under S$40, removed the horizontal bar and got it cut down to fit the length of my tank (1.5ft)

Next, i carefully marked the intended distance on both the rod and the MH lights and got them drilled. *point to note here, try getting it done with a bench drill, its alot safer and accurate since the holes on either side of the rod MUST be straight in order to fit the screws*

Then i purchased 2 'furniture' screws and bolts, being extra careful that the length exceeds the total width of the MH and the rod. I liked the 'Furniture' Screws because the bolts were rounded which suited the fitting on the rod.





With these in hand, i mounted the MH onto the bar and tightened the bolts, fitting the rod back onto its supports.







This is how the setup looks, I would have wished for it to be slighly symetrical on the right side but due to some mis calculations the rod wasn't cut short enough.

[BFG]

Great work and thanks for sharing xxdivinityxx ! I am sure there will be other members who will benefit from your diy session. Any thing else you want to change or suggestion to improve your setup?

[eddy planer]

Jerome, try the Aqualux 150W 8000k DE bulb.
I'm using 3 for my tank. love the colour as i found my osram bulbs too yellow.

can get from Victron.

http://www.viclite.com/astraaq.htm

Yo Melvin,

Been using the same brand Aqualux 150w 8000k MH for my 3 ft tank, of course with Resun 650 chiller.(24-25 degree C).Before i plant, i had aged the water for 1 week and added Nurafin conditioner( for bateria).Then weekly 20% changed water and each changed add Nurafin conditioner as well. Daily 3 presses ADA step 1 and 5 bubbles per second with 10 hrs of light.

Now the problem...my MM, grass hair and my weeping and spiky mosses not growing at all for 3 months.Look the same as i planted since...plants turning little brown especially the hair grasses and mosses.

Do you think this MH bulb overkill them or too bright or what?

pls advise... me, if you can , will very grateful if you pls drop by my hse to improve the situation. i almost give up this hobby due to this.

cheers
planer

[xxdivinityxx]

Eddy,

It seems to me like you're not dosing enough.
Now the more light you have, the more you must dose to make up for growth of the plants.

Rohaizal,

For one, i'd like to have better measured the rod accurately because as you can see, it's quite unsightly being unsymetrical.

Also, the wires for the MH down to the external ballast are just nice at present, which is a tad tight for my liking, may extend the cable later on.

I would have much prefered it to be a 1-armed thing like amano's but it would be unsightly with this setup and unsafe. Am hoping that someone here has custom made a rod like amanos so we can compare the price.

Screws wise, i do think it's quaint just the way it is, sticking out like that, do you think i should cut the remaining screw bits sticking out off?

[eddy planer]

Eddy,

It seems to me like you're not dosing enough.
Now the more light you have, the more you must dose to make up for growth of the plants.

Rohaizal,

For one, i'd like to have better measured the rod accurately because as you can see, it's quite unsightly being unsymetrical.

Also, the wires for the MH down to the external ballast are just nice at present, which is a tad tight for my liking, may extend the cable later on.

I would have much prefered it to be a 1-armed thing like amano's but it would be unsightly with this setup and unsafe. Am hoping that someone here has custom made a rod like amanos so we can compare the price.

Screws wise, i do think it's quaint just the way it is, sticking out like that, do you think i should cut the remaining screw bits sticking out off?

Then you dun mind come over or meet up with me....to improve the situation....

[xxdivinityxx]

Then you dun mind come over or meet up with me....to improve the situation....

Har?!
I don't think anyone coming over would perform any miracles, dosing issues take some time to improve.
Why don't you post your dosgin regime and questions over at the fertilisation section, i'm sure you'll find a heap of helpful people there.

[SmallFish]

Eddy,

It seems to me like you're not dosing enough.
Now the more light you have, the more you must dose to make up for growth of the plants.

Rohaizal,

For one, i'd like to have better measured the rod accurately because as you can see, it's quite unsightly being unsymetrical.

Also, the wires for the MH down to the external ballast are just nice at present, which is a tad tight for my liking, may extend the cable later on.

I would have much prefered it to be a 1-armed thing like amano's but it would be unsightly with this setup and unsafe. Am hoping that someone here has custom made a rod like amanos so we can compare the price.

Screws wise, i do think it's quaint just the way it is, sticking out like that, do you think i should cut the remaining screw bits sticking out off?

Why need to cut off the 'sticking out' screw ... i can imagine a placard pasted right there (thus concealing it) that says "my proud MH light DIY stand".

Good job and nicely done btw.

[xxdivinityxx]

Why need to cut off the 'sticking out' screw ... i can imagine a placard pasted right there (thus concealing it) that says "my proud MH light DIY stand".

Good job and nicely done btw.

Lol, thanks for the neat comments.
Hands itching for the next DIY project.
Perhaps Night Lights?