Retrofit an HQI setup into an Orbit fixture

[weaglereefer]

I have a 2x65w Current Orbit PC fixture that I would like to upgrade to halide. Could I retrofit a 150w or 250w HQI reflector into that without worrying about anything melting or catching on fire?

 

[brianjfinn]

I can't tell if that has fans in it or not. If it does, you might be alright. I actually built a hood out of a couple current fixtures and created my own MH fixture. If you wanted, you could use two 150w halogen fixtures to run 70w HQI bulbs. All you'd need is to wire up the ballasts. I don't know if that would be enough for your 90gal, though, assuming that's the tank you're putting it on. I have two CFs (can't remember the wattage) and two 70w HQIs over my 20g long. It's a bit overkill, but it looks great.

More information than you needed, or probably wanted, so I'll stop rambling. Point is, if there are fans in the fixture, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[weaglereefer]

Haha, no, it's going on my 10g if I do a 150, on my 24 if it's a 250. There is a fan on one side of the fixture, but I could add another on the other side. The noise won't bother me.

 

[brianjfinn]

Shoot, if it's for your 10, you'd only need one 70w, although you could do two if you wanted. It's really a simple job and a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a retrofit. I think I paid $30 for two 150w halogen fixtures, gutted them, and installed the reflectors in my hood. Then just wire up the bulbs and the ballast, and you're good to go! The ballasts and bulbs would be the most expensive part, but you'd have to pay for those with a retrofit anyway. I actually built an entire wood hood with two PCs, two MHs, and two fans for less than it would have cost just to buy one MH retrofit (I already had to two PCs, though.)

 

[cwalt]

Check out DIY reef they have a 175 puls start ballst by sunlight supplt for less than 50 bucks - May be what you need

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=84&products_id=510">https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=84&products_id=510</a>

then u just have to worry about the buld heat not the ballast heat

 

[brianjfinn]

Cwalt;412230 wrote: Check out DIY reef they have a 175 puls start ballst by sunlight supplt for less than 50 bucks - May be what you need

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=84&products_id=510">https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=84&products_id=510</a>

then u just have to worry about the buld heat not the ballast heat[/QUOTE]


Holy crap! There wasn't anything like that when I built my hood. That's an awesome deal!

 

[oil_fan]

Cwalt;412230 wrote: Check out DIY reef they have a 175 puls start ballst by sunlight supplt for less than 50 bucks - May be what you need

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=84&products_id=510">https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=84&products_id=510</a>

then u just have to worry about the buld heat not the ballast heat[/QUOTE]
:eek:

Oh how I wish I had a use for this!!