Hellolights 13 Watt Retro

[SamIAm]

Hi there, I'm in the process of setting up a 3 gallon Eclipse and ordered the Hellolights 13 watt retro to replace the stock lights.

I was wondering if any of you had any experiences with this and had any advice as to the best way to mount the new light in the existing hood?

Thanks in advance.

[Imaexpat2]

Sure dont have any ideas without looking at it. I have hooked up several retrofit light systems up into canopys and its really pretty simple to do.
Thus far, I have only had experience with Hamilton retrofit kits. What I have normally done is build the canopy as needed, and to the inside of it I place two 1/2" to 3/4" strips of wood to the inside of the canopy. I then take two screws and and attach each end of the reflector to these strips of wood. This leaves a small space between the reflector and the canopy so that there is no heat build up. This has worked out sweet so far.
I am really curious though about this becuase just yesterday I ordered a 2 x 160 watt VHO retrofit kit from them. I have never had any previous experience with them so I am kinda intrested in how well the system you receive from them is, so I will have a better idea of what to expect. They were considerably cheaper than the places I have previously went through for lights. So far the only complaint I have with them is they sent two 50/50 bulbs instead of 1 50/50 and 1 03 blue looking at the shipping conformation they e-mailed me.
Good luck getting your lights hooked up and let me know how your retrofit kit was!

[ckreef]

I too have also retro-ed many kits into canopies but not the hellologhts 13 watt. I currently have the hellolights 2 x 28watt ballast and endcaps that I retro-ed into a custom canopy.

Maybe someone else can answer this more directly.

If not --- when it arrives and you go to install it --- if youo come up with any specific questions I might be able to help more.

Also --- Welcome to TRT and the Nano Forum.

[SamIAm]

The main questionn I had was the best way to attach it to the hood. The old standoffs for the previous light are too far apart and I was wondering if people just stuck the ballast on a piece of wood/metal and then attached that to the hood?

Just want to make sure I don't either break the hood or ruin the ballast.

[budzstr]

eclipse hoods are very hard to get anything to stick to so you might need to use stainless screws. i had the same tank but am not familar with that retro kit. Did it come with a reflector?
Double check the socket/ballast clearance to the top of your waterline,wouldn't want to get it wet

BTW welcome...from another newbie

[ckreef]

A good silicone type glue (not silicone but similar) that will generally adheare to anything and is basically aquarium safe would be "Household Goop". This can be gotten at your favorite large hardware store.

Use the standard "Household Goop" -- DO NOT use the "Marine" or "Plumbers" or any of the other different flavors.

You could always test it out --- put a small dab somewhere off in the corner of the hood. Let cure for a full 48 hours then try and pry it loose. You'll know right away if it'll work for your application or not.

[Ray1214]

I used marine Goop. It seemed to work fine for the reflector. Then I attaced the ballast to the back of the hood. I will tell you that you will need to get a piece of plexiglass to help protect the light. And I am using a 12vDc fan to help with the coolng.
Ray

[SamIAm]

Any chance of a pic of your setup? Especially the light!