View Full Version : hood lighting question
NewObsession
10-10-2007, 3:07 PM
So I am considering the undertaking of building an aquarium. Have a connection fo rthe glass, but I want to do my homework to make sure that what I save on glass I don't end up spending on all the little extras that would normally come in a kit . Probably looking at something in the 55 gallon range. I might go a little taller than usual but I want to keep it a standard footprint . My question is regardin lighting. I am going to have to fashion some type of hood for it and what I want to know is if I can just use your standard run of the mill fluorescent fixtures? or is there something special I need to consider given the proximity to water/moisture?
Mgamer20o0
10-10-2007, 3:18 PM
the things in the kit are usually not very good. unless you really really want to build i tank the time you save buy just buying i think makes it worth it.
reg shop lights will work.......
NewObsession
10-11-2007, 7:26 AM
True, and if I had to go out and buy the glass over the counter, I doubt I would even be considering it, but I can more than likely get the glass dirt cheap, so I am figuring out if I can get the required accesories for what I would have spent on a tank that size and still not have it cost me a fortune. I also have connections at the local hardware store so lighting ans whatnot comes at a discount as well
beviking
10-11-2007, 1:29 PM
Buy some shop lights when they're on sale at the local hardware store. Most of the time you'll find 2 48" bulb units. You can pull everything out and mount the endcaps directly into a wooden canopy. Be sure to ground the ballast. 2 48" bulbs will work nicely unless you want to go with med-high light requiring live plants, then use 3 or 4 bulbs which would require another light for the hardware store :) I would buy some full spectrum bulbs while you're at it.
This is how I make hoods/canopies...
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1067041321045182475sRbRzB
...except that now I don't bother mounting the shop lights to the cross pcs, just mount the endcaps at each end. Yes, I use a full run length from front to back on the left and right side too.