DIY idea for light fixture - Aquarium Advice

dr_girlfriend · 04-17-2005, 06:26 AM

I'm trying to get decent lighting for my 90 gallon without spending a

load. I saw a 2x110 watt T-12 fixture for $50 at lowes and was thinking of somehow incorporating it into a [acronym:ef07e71f8b="Do it yourself"]diy[/acronym:ef07e71f8b] hood. The only problem is, is that my tank is 76" and the light is 96". I looked around and couldn't find anything comparable with the wattage in a smaller size. So, do you think it would look crappy having it hang out a foot on each side? Or any ideas on how to "mask" it into looking better? Or does anyone know of any other ways to get comparable wattage for cheap? [acronym:ef07e71f8b="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:ef07e71f8b]

jsoong · 04-17-2005, 11:15 AM

Personally I think it would be butt ugly to have light s hanging out that much, plus you are losing 1/4 or the light.

You can try 3 - 2x36 T12 shoplights - here in Canada, Canadian tires has them for about 20 each ([acronym:80c1663ba3="Home Depot"]HD[/acronym:80c1663ba3] about 35). The ones I've seen are fairly narrow (about 4") so you can prob fit 3 into the canopy. They are 48" long so you'll need to stagger them for more even coverage.

Failing that, you can try a mix of 4' T12 & 2' T8 (have never seen 2' T12).

Also check out [acronym:80c1663ba3="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:80c1663ba3] kits from www.ahsupply.com - they are suprisingly affordable.

dr_girlfriend · 04-18-2005, 06:30 AM

yeah, I think it would probably look pretty bad too. I'll look around for the 2x36 48" fixtures. Actually just 2 would work for about 2.4 [acronym:e0df51493f="Watts Per Gallon"]wpg[/acronym:e0df51493f]. Maybe get a single tube 36 watt for a third? I don't remember if they had them or not, I'll double check. (Probably a canada only thing with my luck) As for ah supply, it would cost just as much to buy whole light fixtures new for the size and wattage I need.
Thanks for the suggestions!

04-17-2005, 06:26 AM	#1
dr_girlfriend Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: N. CA Posts: 701 Images: 23	DIY idea for light fixture I'm trying to get decent lighting for my 90 gallon without spending a load. I saw a 2x110 watt T-12 fixture for $50 at lowes and was thinking of somehow incorporating it into a [acronym:ef07e71f8b="Do it yourself"]diy[/acronym:ef07e71f8b] hood. The only problem is, is that my tank is 76" and the light is 96". I looked around and couldn't find anything comparable with the wattage in a smaller size. So, do you think it would look crappy having it hang out a foot on each side? Or any ideas on how to "mask" it into looking better? Or does anyone know of any other ways to get comparable wattage for cheap? [acronym:ef07e71f8b="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:ef07e71f8b] __________________ Fish are friends, not food We weep for the bird's cry, but not for the blood of a fish. Blessed are those who have voice. Pinky: "What are those Brain?" (pointing to a group of people protesting) Brain: "People without jobs Pinky." N. California aquarium maintenance, scuba certification, and boat services. Need computer services in N. California? Click here!

04-17-2005, 11:15 AM	#2
jsoong Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 1,796	Personally I think it would be butt ugly to have light s hanging out that much, plus you are losing 1/4 or the light. You can try 3 - 2x36 T12 shoplights - here in Canada, Canadian tires has them for about 20 each ([acronym:80c1663ba3="Home Depot"]HD[/acronym:80c1663ba3] about 35). The ones I've seen are fairly narrow (about 4") so you can prob fit 3 into the canopy. They are 48" long so you'll need to stagger them for more even coverage. Failing that, you can try a mix of 4' T12 & 2' T8 (have never seen 2' T12). Also check out [acronym:80c1663ba3="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:80c1663ba3] kits from www.ahsupply.com - they are suprisingly affordable. __________________ 75 gal FW with 30 gal DIY wet/dry/sump. 9 fancy golds, 1 hillstream loaches, 1 rubber-lip pleco (C. thomasi), 3 SAEs, planted.

04-18-2005, 06:30 AM	#3
dr_girlfriend Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: N. CA Posts: 701 Images: 23	yeah, I think it would probably look pretty bad too. I'll look around for the 2x36 48" fixtures. Actually just 2 would work for about 2.4 [acronym:e0df51493f="Watts Per Gallon"]wpg[/acronym:e0df51493f]. Maybe get a single tube 36 watt for a third? I don't remember if they had them or not, I'll double check. (Probably a canada only thing with my luck) As for ah supply, it would cost just as much to buy whole light fixtures new for the size and wattage I need. Thanks for the suggestions! __________________ Fish are friends, not food We weep for the bird's cry, but not for the blood of a fish. Blessed are those who have voice. Pinky: "What are those Brain?" (pointing to a group of people protesting) Brain: "People without jobs Pinky." N. California aquarium maintenance, scuba certification, and boat services. Need computer services in N. California? Click here!

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