How to Make a Metal Halide Light for an Aquarium

Making your own metal halide light is practical and cost-effective. It also gives the flexibility to adapt your lighting needs to your unique aquarium. The popularity of reefkeeping has enticed aquarium supply companies to offer metal halide DIY components that are virtually plug and play. With the variety of proprietary reflectors and connectors, it's now easier than ever to make your own metal halide fixture.

Things You'll Need

  • Socket assembly with wiring harness
  • Reflector
  • Ballast
  • Screwdriver
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place your reflector shiny side up and remove any plastic coating. Make sure the reflector is dust-free. Take care when handling the reflector not to get fingerprints on the finish.

    • 2

      Slide the socket inside the reflector and center perpendicular to the face of the reflector.

    • 3

      Screw the socket into the reflector.

    • 4

      Hang the reflector securely from your canopy, ceiling, or hanging tree. Make sure there is enough clearance from the water according to the manufacturer's specifications. Also, the reflector will get very hot, so make sure there is enough clearance from the top of the reflector to the surface it is hung from to allow plenty of air to pass through.

    • 5

      Attach the male end of your proprietary wiring harness to the female end of your metal halide ballast. Double-check your manufacturer's specifications to make sure it will properly fire the bulb type.

    • 6

      Screw your metal halide bulb into the socket. For those who have installed a double-ended socket, grasp the bulb by the ceramic ends and evenly press it into the socket ends until it "locks." Gentle, even pressure is required. Care must be taken not to touch the bulb with your fingers. Any oil on the bulb can cause it to crack.

    • 7

      Slide the glass reflector shield into the reflector. Single-ended metal halide bulbs have a UV shield built into the bulb, but it is still a good idea to use a UV-shielded glass with the reflector as water splashed on the bulb can shatter it. Double-ended HQI bulbs have no UV shield built into the bulb and must be used with a UV-shielded piece of glass across the reflector.

    • 8

      Place your ballast in a clean and dry location. Keep in mind that metal halide ballasts get very hot.

    • 9

      Plug your metal halide ballast into a a GFCI-protected outlet and wait a few seconds for the bulb to fire up. Check for any flickering.