Need advice on basic DIY PC lighting

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Yao

Aquarium Advice Regular
Joined
Oct 6, 2005
Messages
80
Location
Michigan
I have 20g long tank that I want to add some low light plants to. I think 24-34w PC 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! 8)
 
I don't have any lighting right now, just natural light from the windows. I only have a glass hinge cover. :?
 
DIY inclosure: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/4742/55hood/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 NO bulbs would have about the same result though.. same ballast would do the job.. the WH2
 
shawmutt said:
http://www.ahsupply.com/ has decent prices and comes with instructions for a DIY 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.
 
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