a how to on DIY lighting. BIG post, lots of pics UDATED!!!!

[Japola44]

yah thats really to bad...its only 6bucks to have it shipped to me :\
you also need a needle valve, especially with a low pressure diffuser. I would also suggest making a bubble counter. You can make it out of a spice jar. You just drill a hole in the top put in two tubes, one input and one out put, and seal it with silicone. A glass jar would probably be the best to use. Here is a quick computer sketch of what it looks like

 

[mr funktastic]

i dont need a bubble counter becasue i have the hagen co2 ladder which will be my bubble counter. sirlunch box said that his system is complete but i only need his regualtor which i will assume comes with a needle valve or the regulator is designed to only release a little co2. nice sketch thoug i actually understand that lol i have never got any of the other pics on the net.

 

[Japola44]

nice sketch thoug i actually understand that lol i have never got any of the other pics on the net.

thanks!


you should consider staining your light fixture. It looks like it has a nice grain, darkening it with stain will make it look a lot cleaner.

 

[greenmaji]

WOOT! DIY lights
good job!

 

[mr funktastic]

i was thinink about stain to match the stand i built and stained but i used 2 different types of wood for the hood so it may come out lookin kinda funny. i have a really thick spray paint that comes out lookin like plastic almost... i forget the type. and thanks green maji next time they will be overdriven and i will make a p[os on that 2.

 

[greenmaji]

Well, I do hope the PM's at least helped you figure how to wire the ballast, you did a good job of it

 

[mr funktastic]

well i had a question about the ballast i used so i thought i would give a close up of the ballast so people have an example of what to buy. it is cles enough to read everything aswell. hope it helps

 

[Billsgate]

Good job! And thanks for this thread! I've wanted to try this for a long time now, and I think I'll finally have a go at it (During summer....don't have time now)

 

[tbonem91]

very nice!

 

[dskidmore]

i am going to bend a peice of polished something to act as a reflector. and also i did plan on painting it.

A couple notes on reflectors:

When using florecent bulbs, a grounded metallic reflector may be advisable for safety.

That said, white paint is nearly as effective as a mirror in conserving light. The mirror is well polished so that the light is reflected coherently enough to see your image. The white paint has a not so smooth texture, but does not absorb a significant amount of light, rather reflecting it back into the aquarium.

 

[mr funktastic]

i found some old mirror that i am going to cut to fit in a day or 2. i think this is the best option for reflection and the easiest way to do it. thanks for your opinion though always appreciate it.

 

[greenmaji]

there's usually a grounding hole on the side of the ballast to ground a metal reflector to the ballast.
the wiring diagram on the ballasts says its to the right on the long side of the ballast out of view on yours mr funktastic.