MH fixture, leave it alone or DIY reflector?

[jdavid]

So today I picked up a super old school Hamilton "Captive Sun" fixture. It's a 4 ft fixture with 2x 175w mogul MH and 2x 110w VHO. NOt really familiar with VHO, must be outdated. Probably won't bother using the VHO

The 2x 175w ballast for the halides is MASSIVE, but I do have 2 175w ballasts laying around that aren't so ancient looking/huge

I have the whole thing taken apart for cleaning and I was thinking before I put it back together.. Is there some kind of paint that is super reflective? The claim is that the white finish is reflective, just wondering HOW reflective.

I might use this over a shallow anemone propagation tank so I would need it to be hung HIGH as to not overheat the tank, which is why I'm considering DIY

It looks like this

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It was dirty but underneath the grime it's in pretty good condition after cleaning with bleach

 

[jdavid]

<img src="

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[jdavid]

Okay part 2- the ballasts that I have are actually for 250w. So, I could just use the massive megaton ballast (works) and run 2x 175w

OR, could I use the 250w ballasts and run 2x 250w?

The sockets (idk what to call them) are MOGUL single ended, look like they are made out of ceramic and say 4KV pulse rated on the outside and "600v 1500w" on the inside.

The ballasts have this sticker and may have been for an HQI fixture, idk what the difference is but I know that my selectable watt ballast had an option for 250 and 250 HQI so there must be some difference

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Seems like it would work but I'm no expert and don't want to burn my house down

 

[jdavid]

So this is the fixture

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=CP4112&child=CP4114&utm_source=CatchMatrixPages&utm_campaign=CatchMatrixPages&utm_medium=cse&utm_content=CP4114">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=CP4112&child=CP4114&utm_source=CatchMatrixPages&utm_campaign=CatchMatrixPages&utm_medium=cse&utm_content=CP4114</a>

Just found these, would be REALLY easy to screw a couple of these in and call it a day... But I don't need the sockets just the reflectors. And I really don't want to spend $40 on this light either.. Lol
[IMG]http://premiumaquatics.com/products/pfo-metal-halide-mogul-socket-parabolic-reflector-cord.html?gclid=CN3Nv8GG9sACFShp7AodSUkA3w">http://premiumaquatics.com/products/pfo-metal-halide-mogul-socket-parabolic-reflector-cord.html?gclid=CN3Nv8GG9sACFShp7AodSUkA3w</a>

 

[jdavid]

Hmm...just reading about how a white surface is actually MORE reflective than polished metal like mirrored aluminum. That's interesting. Also says that what makes a good reflector is the shape.

 

[jdavid]

Okay so basically my understanding is that the only difference between an HQI 250 watt ballast and a non-HQI 250w ballast is that the non-HQI can not (realiably) start an HQI bulb, but an HQI ballast can run any bulb that is the correct wattage

 

[jdavid]

Man you guys are awesome

 

[bcrueter]

Sorry, LED guy here...but it is intresting and would like to see it set up but as far as being helpful...sorry not me, but have to give up two thumbs up for commitment

 

[jdavid]

Lol. I think I got it figured out.