where do the ballasts go

hottielover14 · 07-07-2004, 11:44 AM

Theres this kit on ebay w/ VHO and MH and it's a hood w/ a reflector but theres 2 exterenal ballasts for the MH. Where would I put them when my lights running. Is a hood with the ballasts inside better. The external one is cheaper though.

Matt Rogers · 07-08-2004, 07:57 PM

external is better.
the hood weighs less, and the heat from them is not near the tank. Put them anywhere, just not in the tank.

Jason McKenzie · 07-09-2004, 08:24 AM

They are usually the ugly eye sore that sit next to the stand that you stub your toe on. Unless you can DIY a cabinet to hold them or hid it behind the tank. I've been telling my Wife I'm going to build a cabinet for mine for two year

J

hottielover14 · 07-09-2004, 09:48 AM

so the external is better than internal.

hottielover14 · 07-09-2004, 09:48 AM

i don't have any room on the side of my tank because my refuge is there.

reefman_MC · 07-09-2004, 05:18 PM

They should be fixed where you can bolt them on the stand or you can always let them sit on the floor. My Coralvue ballasts stay cool enough you can hold them. I have two electronic ballasts.

cannon2222 · 07-09-2004, 05:28 PM

[quote author=Matt Rogers link=board=lighting;num=1089236698;start=0#1 date=07/08/04 at 22:57:01]Put them anywhere, just not in the tank.

[/quote]

Very funny Matt.

I'm thinking when its time to do my lighting, I will put my ballasts in the attic on a piece of plywood. Drill a hole to run the wiring and hang the lights from the ceiling.

phil

hottielover14 · 07-10-2004, 08:29 AM

but theres this neat one w/ a internal balllast.

hottielover14 · 07-10-2004, 08:29 AM

but theres this neat one w/ a internal balllast.

Birdlady · 07-10-2004, 05:16 PM

MH ballasts throw some heat...that coupled with the MH lamp itself is gonna put you in the market for a chiller.

When I had my 60 gal set up before, I had 1 - 175 watt MH, and 4 fluorescents with 2 fans in the hood. It was nearly impossible to keep the temp regulated and cool enough.

IMHO, if it radiates heat, whenever possible, get it away from the water.

. You can put them on the floor behind the tank. I just put mine on a piece of wood or something flat so it would not get stifled underneath by the carpet.