convert PL light to MH?

**wee** · 9th Aug 2002, 01:26

i hv two sets of 4x36W PL light bought from N.A. for my 4' tank. can i convert the 8x36w PL to 4x70w MH light using the same casing? where can just bug the ballast, MH bulbs, reflectors without casing?

any idea? thanks.

**sherchoo** · 10th Aug 2002, 22:57

I don't think it as simple as mentioned. There are some considerations like heat produced by the light. Must ensure that the casing can withstand the heat.

Another this is the casing should be glass cover as to not allow any splasing on to the bulb.

I think you're better off getting 2 X 150W MH which will be more cost effective.

Juz my 2 cents worth

**wee** · 10th Aug 2002, 23:37

i was thinking about this approach mainly because of the inconvinient in fixing the hanging MH from ceiling now that the tank is already setup. also need to worry about the wiring to the ceiling. have been hunting for MH light that can sit on top of tank just like those PL lights but no luck.

since presently i already have 8x36w (288w), doesn't 4x70w (280w) from MH generate the same heat to the casing? even now i can't really touch the PL casing when they are lighted up for few hours. just wondering...

thanks.

**loupgarou** · 11th Aug 2002, 01:31

its not impossible to attach a hanging mh.

I saw the guy do for mine.

simply put a styrofoam or large cloth or something to cover your tank

then get on a ladder. drill a single hole to accomodate the hook...

its probably easier than anything else. just find a technician at those hardware shops to do it for you. I overpaid for mine, but you can get them to do for aroudn 20$ (i paid 50..)

**ach** · 11th Aug 2002, 09:43

can u use these lights if on a budget

works great for my 5footer. Abt 170 to 200 for a piece wif 5200k bulb.

**kelstorm** · 11th Aug 2002, 10:20

aer those housings from those search or flood lights kind??? i seen some of these at some of the lightings shops but dun know whether can use or not...

**vinz** · 11th Aug 2002, 16:09

Saw MH light hoods at Aquamart yesterday, I think can sit on top of tank. Not sure of prices.

**dragonfly** · 12th Aug 2002, 02:10

There is a (planted tank??)shop at the junction of Boon Keng Road and Upper Serangoon Road opps the Sihk Temple that might have something you want. I saw them having some MH lighting fixtures that mount on the top of the tank.

**Vican** · 12th Aug 2002, 08:53

Is that Bioplast (System Control and Engineering) ?

**ach** · 12th Aug 2002, 10:16

aer those housings from those search or flood lights kind??? i seen some of these at some of the lightings shops but dun know whether can use or not...

sure can use, but not so good looking but gets the job done. For u KELVIN good for your marine tank, wif blub change to 10K type mabye cost could come up to $130 +$130= $260, save a bundle. Imagine bioplast MH, $600 bucks for a nice looking MH lamp n only 5200K bulb!! (this is all comparing the double-ended type), screw mount type of MH lamp/fixture could be even cheaper.

jw · 12th Aug 2002, 11:09

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On 8/12/2002 2:10:19 AM

There is a (planted tank??)shop at the junction of Boon Keng Road and Upper Serangoon Road opps the Sihk Temple that might have something you want. I saw them having some MH lighting fixtures that mount on the top of the tank.
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any idea what is the prices??...or can someone post prices of those MH light hoods, preferably with stand sitting on top of the tank, not the ceiling type one.

thanks

**wee** · 13th Aug 2002, 00:13

referring to the picture above, can i get these without the casing? but looks like the reflector of these double-ended bulb may not be able to fix into the PL aluminium casing. i have been searching the web and saw some options using screw type of bulb on US sites. the likelihood of mounting them in the aluminium casing is much higher. not sure if they can be found in SG.

will find time to look around at kelantan road.

btw i prefer 4x70w to 2x150w because i switch on the lights in two stages. i do that even with my present 8x36w PL lights. 4 are on 1 hr before the 4. the gap in switching off is in fact 2 hrs. my theory is that the sun will not just jump up and down in seconds [

] (actually more to avoid the shock to the fishes). of course, if i will have to do the ceiling hanging type, it will just be 2x150w. urgy to hang some many lights [

]

thanks for all the info so far...

**kelstorm** · 13th Aug 2002, 02:45

sure can use, but not so good looking but gets the job done. For u KELVIN good for your marine tank, wif blub change to 10K type mabye cost could come up to $130 +$130= $260, save a bundle. Imagine bioplast MH, $600 bucks for a nice looking MH lamp n only 5200K bulb!! (this is all comparing the double-ended type), screw mount type of MH lamp/fixture could be even cheaper.
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thanks ach.. the asethetics is the least of my concerns coz it should be inside the cabinet... my next worry now is how to fix this thingie..[

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