Need advice on basic DIY PC lighting - Aquarium Advice

Yao · 10-11-2005, 11:34 AM

I have 20g long tank that I want to add some low light plants to. I think 24-34w [acronym:7d0763b866="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:7d0763b866] would be enough for my tank. I know nothing about putting together a lighting fixture! I have a glass top on my tank now, and I would like to make something myself to go on top, rather than buy one of those expensive hood units. Is it feasible for me to do this? And can someone tell me what parts I need to buy and what I need to do? Thanks!

shawmutt · 10-11-2005, 11:39 AM

http://www.ahsupply.com/ has decent prices and comes with instructions for a [acronym:011a14af7e="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:011a14af7e] enclosure. I got it and put it all together with a minimum of tools and effort.

greenmaji · 10-12-2005, 05:26 PM

how many watts is your current light putting out? how long is the bulb?

Yao · 10-13-2005, 02:13 PM

I don't have any lighting right now, just natural light from the windows. I only have a glass hinge cover.

greenmaji · 10-13-2005, 10:42 PM

[acronym:705d41e367="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:705d41e367] inclosure: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaver...od/55hood.html
Workhorse 2 ballast: http://www.prolighting.com/wo2elba12loc.html
ahsupplies reflector if you want it (the big advantage of ahsuppy kits) Part 36117 on this page: http://ahsupply.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=9

ballast ~$19, reflector ~$16 you would still need a strait pin endcap and a bulb...
the ahsupply kit isnt that bad.. they give you a bunch of excessories beyond the bare min... all you need to do is get a bulb

ahsuppy kit.. $42 Part 30361: http://ahsupply.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=6

a couple of T-8 15W [acronym:705d41e367="Normal Output Fluorescents"]NO[/acronym:705d41e367] bulbs would have about the same result though.. same ballast would do the job.. the WH2

snorkel · 10-17-2005, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawmutt

http://www.ahsupply.com/ has decent prices and comes with instructions for a [acronym:7172fde155="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:7172fde155] enclosure. I got it and put it all together with a minimum of tools and effort.

I looked at ahsupply.com and the prices are pretty steep, considering you can get a super nice looking 48inch compact flourescent from All-Glass from big als for around 110 dollars, just the hardware from ahsupply for a 110 watt setup was 65 bucks, then the time to contruct a wood hood, it was just cheaper to get the All-Glass unit, though I went with a triple tube t8 strip light in the end because the bulbs are much cheaper, and t8 is going to be around for a long long time.

greenmaji · 10-17-2005, 11:16 AM

that and T-8 bulbs are prime canidates for overdriving :P

10-11-2005, 11:34 AM	#1
Yao Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 80	Need advice on basic DIY PC lighting I have 20g long tank that I want to add some low light plants to. I think 24-34w [acronym:7d0763b866="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:7d0763b866] would be enough for my tank. I know nothing about putting together a lighting fixture! I have a glass top on my tank now, and I would like to make something myself to go on top, rather than buy one of those expensive hood units. Is it feasible for me to do this? And can someone tell me what parts I need to buy and what I need to do? Thanks!

10-11-2005, 11:39 AM	#2
shawmutt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greencastle, PA Posts: 2,050 Images: 6	http://www.ahsupply.com/ has decent prices and comes with instructions for a [acronym:011a14af7e="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:011a14af7e] enclosure. I got it and put it all together with a minimum of tools and effort. __________________ ~Mike Shaw Shawmutt.com. Blogs and Pictures of the Massively Multiplayer Offline game, Real Life.

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10-12-2005, 05:26 PM	#3
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	how many watts is your current light putting out? how long is the bulb?

10-13-2005, 02:13 PM	#4
Yao Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 80	I don't have any lighting right now, just natural light from the windows. I only have a glass hinge cover.

10-13-2005, 10:42 PM	#5
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	[acronym:705d41e367="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:705d41e367] inclosure: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaver...od/55hood.html Workhorse 2 ballast: http://www.prolighting.com/wo2elba12loc.html ahsupplies reflector if you want it (the big advantage of ahsuppy kits) Part 36117 on this page: http://ahsupply.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=9 ballast ~$19, reflector ~$16 you would still need a strait pin endcap and a bulb... the ahsupply kit isnt that bad.. they give you a bunch of excessories beyond the bare min... all you need to do is get a bulb ahsuppy kit.. $42 Part 30361: http://ahsupply.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=6 a couple of T-8 15W [acronym:705d41e367="Normal Output Fluorescents"]NO[/acronym:705d41e367] bulbs would have about the same result though.. same ballast would do the job.. the WH2

10-17-2005, 11:16 AM	#7
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	that and T-8 bulbs are prime canidates for overdriving :P