DIY light for 10g

[alex07]

As I got bored of how the tank looked with the walmart hood I figured I will build 1 out of scratch. Went to Lowe's and Home depot to get the materials. After working on it for about 2 hrs i was pleased with the way it looks so far. Right now its on top of the tank but I am planning on suspending it about 3-4 over the tank. In total i spent about $28. Would of been cheaper if i would of used the wires and plug I had laying around but i chose not to. I did not use an on/off switch because I have it connected to a timer.

The fixture is vinyl gutter with 2 end caps.

2 black 660w sockects

15A 125V black 2 wire plug

2 step flash used as a reflector

2 conduit hangers for the sockets

2 washers

2 hex nuts

2 hex bolt

2 wire nuts

9 feet of 16-2 wire

 

[Fishguy2727]

They make those already. Quick Google search revels 20" incandescent fixture for $14, not counting nice bulbs. Coralife and at least one other brand make bulbs that are longer instead of spiral, so get more light to the water. They come in 10 or 20 watts and 50/50 reef color or 'Colormax' (good for plants).

Great design though for a larger tank (like lighting a 75 for cheap).

 

[alex07]

Yes i know, but only ones i've seen cover the top completely which is what i had. I wanted something that i can suspend to have an open top

 

[Fishguy2727]

I think a DIY hanging kit for the strips they make would be good, but this is really good. A little more detail and it could be a great DIY instructions article for lighting on larger tanks.

 

[alex07]

I have about 8 ft left of the vinyl gutter, so I think I'm going to do the same for my 30 long and have 4 26w bulbs in it.

 

[andresdeo]

Hi there, I have a DIY hood as well, you can check my thread if you like. But the research I did on this forum and others seems to incline that with spiral bulbs its way better to have them set vertically rather than horizontally. The amount of PAR that reaches the bottom of the tank is way higher, specially when you have a small surface area as in your 10 gal.

I'll look the info up and post the link.

 

[andresdeo]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/105774-par-vs-distance-t5-t12-pc.html

There you go, its a fellow forum, but good info. Hope you can give it a read specially the first couple of pages.

 

[alex07]

Hi there, I have a DIY hood as well, you can check my thread if you like. But the research I did on this forum and others seems to incline that with spiral bulbs its way better to have them set vertically rather than horizontally. The amount of PAR that reaches the bottom of the tank is way higher, specially when you have a small surface area as in your 10 gal.

I'll look the info up and post the link.

Yes i did consider putting the bulbs facing down but they're too long and would stick out.