DIY Lighting

[Fresh250]

the lighting for my 240gal has been the topic of the day for me, i have decided to make a DIY light setup and was looking into hard wiring some lighting right into the hood. I found some information on the types of light that i want in a planted aquarium and based it on this......

bulbs must be 6500k to 10000k
bulbs have to give out a combined wattage of around 625 watts to give me around 2.5watts per gallon

i found that a couple of flood lights could be a possibility but i have never seen it done, any feedback on this???

heres a page with the bulbs i was thinking of trying...
http://www.1000bulbs.com/Light_Bulbs/Incandescent_Reflectors/ER30_and_ER40_Incandescent_Ellipticals/ER30_and_ER40_CFL_Equivalent_R30_and_R40/R40_CFL_Equivalent_Bulbs/28583/?&utm_source=Yahoo+Shopping&utm_medium=shopping+site&utm_campaign=Yahoo+Shopping+datafeed&utm_term=28583&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=23WattCFL120WEqualFullSpectrumDaylight650 0KR40ReflectorTCP1R402365K&utm_content=23WattCFL120WEqualFullSpectrumDaylight 6500KR40ReflectorTCP1R402365K&utm_campaign=GoogleBaseShopping&site=google_base

[rocker92]

i would go with a normal CFL not the flood light. i think the flood would get too hot but that is just me. and you dont need 200watts of lighting the WPG rule is all fake unless you area using T12 flourescent bulbs.

heres what i would reccomend...http://www.1000bulbs.com/13-Watt-CFL-6500K-Full-Spectrum-Daylight/

[Fresh250]

if i were to use these bulbs how many would i need to use to grow plants
?

[55fresh]

have you looked into halides? I know they arent popular for freshwater, but 3 250watt bulbs should do you good. and they do have bulbs that are lower kelvin and in the range you are looking for

[Fresh250]

i did look at halides but was hoping that these flourescent bulbs would be ok for growing plants, if not, halides was my next thought.

[tanker]

IMO--I would use the 65W bulbs. Make a canapy that would hold 8 bulbs total.
Set timer so that 2-4 bulbs come on. CO2 on about 1 hour later. Then all the other bulbs come on. Six hour later 2-4 bulbs and CO2 off. Then 1 hour later all the rest of the lights off.

PS--I have all PC lights (even my ex-reef).

[rocker92]

problem with halides is that they get verry hot, all light bulbs get hot but halides give out the most heat by far. i would say fit as many light bulbs as possable but leave about 6-8 in between bulbs, you may also need to hook up a few small fans to the hood to keep head down.

good luck

[Fresh250]

good news, i have my tank built into the wall and the hood above it could easily fit like thirty bulbs. I think it sounds like im going to go with eight of the 65w floodlight versions of this bulb and it will give me sufficient light.
as for the timer i already have one, but two might be a good idea to get some to come on and then the other all a bit later.

feedback on this? has anyone ever done it?

[rocker92]

i hope the bulbs work! i would like to hear how it works out for you!

[Fordtrannyman]

My recommendation would be to go with Power Compacts and a good reflector.
AH Supply has the best IMHO.
http://www.ahsupply.com/index.html

For a tank your size the WPG rule does not apply and there have been multiple reports that larger tanks actually need less light. Whatever lighting type you go with, The focus point should be light dispersion.

[Fresh250]

using the lights and sockets that i have decided they will be placed like this above the tank. the green dots standing for the bulbs...

[phanmc]

Personally, I'd go with T5HOs over CF, they're more efficient so more light for a little less energy. If you have sufficient ventilation for the hood Metal halides would be better, has a nice shimmering effect.

You don't need 600w to achieve high light, I'd limit it to around 500w.

[tanker]

The plan looks simple and good.

[Fresh250]

thanks for all the help guys, hoping to get this setup this weekend and have the bulbs in around wednesday

[Arkangel77]

Please post a pic when you are done - I am instrested in the finished outcome.

[Fresh250]

cooling fans installed in the hood yesterday, they came out excellent
: ) forward progression!

[Fresh250]

DONT CLICK THE LINKS THEY ARE USELESS>
http://%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans1.jpg%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/?action=view&current=fans2.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cim g%20src=%22http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans2.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22cooling%20f ans%22%3E%3C/a%3Ehttp://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans3.jpg%5B/IMG%5Di used a couple of fans that i had laying around in the basement and a couple of speaker grilles from my car speaker that i didnt use, came out nice and clean looking and pushes plenty of air through. I also used some screen like you would have on your window behind the speaker grilles and in front of the fan to keep foreign objects out.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans2.jpg%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans1.jpg
http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans2.jpg
http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans3.jpg
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans1.jpg%5B/IMG%5D
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/?action=view&current=fans2.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cim g%20src=%22http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/fans2.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22cooling%20f ans%22%3E%3C/a%3E

[Arkangel77]

Nice Work!

[Fresh250]

hoping for the bulbs soon, ill have to call if i dont have them in by tomorrow

[timwag2001]

that looks awesome.
do you have one fan blowing in and one blowing out or is there a vent on the other side?
so what are you planning on putting in there?

what part of mass are you from?

[Fresh250]

i have both fans blowing in and the swinging door from the hood lets enough air out to make a good flow.

im planning a planted tank with some cabomba carolina, micro sword, dwarf baby tears(lighting permitting), hairgrass maybe?? going with a flourite substrate, and the fish im not entirely sure on, i know i would like some schooling fish, maybe some tetras, and some discus might not look too bad in there either, as long as the fish are invert. compatible they are a possibility

im in central mass, close to athol/gardner area, where are you located?

[timwag2001]

i think that you should have one blowing out or have vent holes the same size as the intake holes. just my opinion. either way with those fans i think you're gonna experience a lot of evaporation.

i'm in upton. about 45 minutes to an hour from you.

[Fresh250]

ive switched a fan to blow outwards : ) ^^

i called 10,000 bulbs and apparently my order didnt get put through so i have to re order the bulbs but got refunded my full purchase price for the last attempt. while i was at it i wasnt sure if anyone had any suggestions for a higher wattage bulb, if that would be better, or if i should stick with the bulb i originally intended.

This is the bulb i am currently opting for:
http://www.1000bulbs.com/Light_Bulbs/Incandescent_Reflectors/ER30_and_ER40_Incandescent_Ellipticals/ER30_and_ER40_CFL_Equivalent_R30_and_R40/R40_CFL_Equivalent_Bulbs/28583/?&utm_source=Yahoo+Shopping&utm_medium=shopping+site&utm_campaign=Yahoo+Shopping+datafeed&utm_term=28583&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=23WattCFL120WEqualFullSpectrumDaylight650 0KR40ReflectorTCP1R402365K&utm_content=23WattCFL120WEqualFullSpectrumDaylight 6500KR40ReflectorTCP1R402365K&utm_campaign=GoogleBaseShopping&site=google_base

[Star_Rider]

waiting to see the progress.
on my hood I installed 1 intake fan 1 exhaust

I am using pcl
but would have recommended T-5HO

[Fresh250]

im still waiting on these bulbs, after being five days late on arrival i called and apparently after they charged my card, well that was all, so now i got refunded and have to place the order again : (

[schaadrak]

im still waiting on these bulbs, after being five days late on arrival i called and apparently after they charged my card, well that was all, so now i got refunded and have to place the order again : (

Don't waste your time online. I've seen those same bulbs in Lowe's for I think $13 a two pack. The brand name was Bright Effects and it was their "Daylight" spectrum lamps in the light blue packaging that were 6500K, not the soft white or cool white.

[Fresh250]

hey thanks for the heads up ill have to swing over to lowes tomorrow to see if they have any in stock there.

[Fresh250]

hey guys i posted these pics already and then somehow they were gone when i just checked the thread?!

well here's the progress so far... again.

the wiring is run inside the gutter and each strip is wired independently so that i can have the timers turn on one, then both, then back to one, then off... every day, what times or anything i dont know yet, i dont even have substrate yet, just waiting to acrue some more funds and find a place for some cheap colorquartz nearby.

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/P1020487.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/P1020486.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/P1020485.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/P1020484.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/Charlygarcia2008/fish%20tank%20stuff/P1020483.jpg

[Fresh250]

does anyone else have a setup similar to this in use?

[Fresh250]

I Have had these in for a while now, and i can say, after my substrate arrives i dont think they will have any problem growing plants, the lights have spurred an enormous algal bloom, had to cut it back alot, just put it all on timers a couple days ago so hopefully the algae stops growing

[Fresh250]

another side note, the algae has pretty much mapped out where the light is strongest so im keeping that in mind for planting later down the road

[FSM]

What are the dimensions of the tank? I would have just used a few 4 foot shop lights from lowes, they are like $13 each.


The bulbs you used are pretty inefficient, T5HOs produce almost twice as many lumens/watt. If they're working fine there's no need to change them though.

[Fresh250]

tank is 23"x30"x84"

and i really hope they work i have it built already