METAL HALIDE FIXTURE AND CANOPY

HI, I THINK THE BULBS IN MY PC LIGHT FIXTURE IS GIVING MY TANK A WHITE LOOK THAT I DONT THINK LOOKS GOOD. I BBELIEVE THIS BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT IS OFF THE WATER LOOKS CRYSTAL CLEAR. 1 QUESTION BEFORE I ASK A DIY QUESTION. FIRST I HAVE A CUSTOM SEALIFE PC FIXTURE 96x4WATTS. I HAVE TO CHECK WHAT BULBS CAME W/ IT I DONT KNOW IF THERE 6500K OR 10000K OR 20000K BUT THERE ARE 2 WHITE LIGHTS AND 2 BLUE LIGHTS. DO YOU THINK THIS WHITE EFFECT IS COMMON TO ALL PC FIXTURES OR DO YOU THINK IT IS DUE TO THE BULBS THAT IM USING, AND IF I CHANGE THEM IT WILL LOOK BETTER. IF IT IS THE PC LIGHTS IN GENERAL THEN I WAS THINKING OF UPGRADING TO A METAL HALIDE/VHO SYSTEM. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF GOOD DIY PLANS FOR MAKING A CANOPY TO HOLD THE FIXTURES AS WELL AS INSTALLING THE FIXTURES CORRECTLY. FINALLY I PAID A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY FOR THE PC FIXTURE AND WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME MONEY FOR THEM SO IT IS NOT A TOTAL WASTE. DOES ANYONE BUY USED EQUIPMENT SO I CAN UNLOAD THIS THING.

TIA
JOE

 

I'd check the bulbs and figure out what you have first. A different bulb even with this same kelvin can make a big difference visually.

As for halides, you can DIY it or look for retrofit kits:

Retrofit:

http://www.hellolights.com/25m1methalre.html

DIY:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Garden/5533/mhpendant.html
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/s/b/sbj4/aquarium/mh/mhlighting.html

 

I DONT WANT TO GET A CHILLER SO HOW HIGH SHOULD THE MH LIGHTS BE FROM THE WATER SURFACE SO I DONT HAVE BOILED CLARKII CLOWNFISH FOR DINNER

 

OH AND HOW ABOUT A WOOD CANOPY TO PUT THEM UNDER (LIKE THE CAP THAT OCEANIC SELLS), ANY GOOD DIY PLANS

 

Halides should be 8 - 12" off the water.

http://www.cyberreefguru.com/diy/mh/mh.html

EDIT:

One more, this one is nice...

http://defcon200.bizland.com/aquariust/id12.html

 

GREAT LINKS THANKS MATT

 

No prob!

 

going to get 2 175w retrofit kits w/ Icecap e-ballast, 2 10k bulbs, 2 spider reflectors.  i can get this for 530 dollars is that a good price. The 250w ballast are the same price but i think 692w might be a bit much i figure 542 is better for a 75gal tank.  i think i might just disassemble my pc fixture and use 2 of the endcaps the actinic bulbs the reflector and the ballast for this hood.  

 

joe do YOU HAVE A LINK TO THESE LIGHTS?

 

nope getting them from a guy who works out of his house but i can get you a link of them from a different retailer mh lights
these are actually cheaper but i think i should get them from this guy because hes going to help me put it together. dont want to mess up and burn my house down LOL