My DIY light fixture

I finished this a few months ago but didn't get around to posting it till now.

It's a 4x24w T5HO fixture with 4 LED night lights and fan ventilation.

Sorry for the picture quality.

Here it is:



Top


Back


Front


Ballast assembly


Bottom before and after mylar installation.




The 1st and 3rd lamps operate separately from the 2nd and 5th. The LEDs are wired with the fans. One fan pushes air though the lamps and ballasts. The other fan pulls the air out. The unit is designed to rest on the top glass of my tank.

I am happy with its performance. It's very bright and seems to be growing plants nicely. The mylar gave it quite a boost too.

I forgot to take pictures of the fixture powered up. I'll try and post those sometime tomorrow.

Oops haha

That would only make sense wouldn't it. It only has 4 lamps. :wall:

It's hard to say what the final price was. It was made from mostly spare parts, so it was pretty cheap for me. I made this as a side project to a bowfront hood I am working on.

The only parts I had to buy were the ballasts and bulbs. I don't remember the exact prices, but I shopped around to find the cheapest parts possible. The ballasts were about $30+/- for both, and the bulbs were a roughly 50+/- for all four.

Thanks guys:thumbsup:

You wouldn't want to buy any lights from me mszumins. I take too long and charge too much.

Honestly, I don't care for woodworking that much. Cutting annoys me. Sanding annoys me. Painting annoys me, etc. Yet at the same time I feel compelled to do it. I can't help myself. I generally build things like r/c planes. I prefer working with lighter woods, such as balsa.

Kinda looks like some kind of strange pinewood derby car doesn't is legendarfrog. I wanted something different from the typical rectangle fixture. It's not meant to be on a centerpiece tank, so I wasn't too concerned about it's decorative appeal. I am just going by the idea that cooler temps will enable the ballasts and lamps to last longer, and curves help the light reflect better.

It's quiet, came out nice, and does what I want to do, so I am happy with it.

If you think this is strange, just wait till you see my bowfront hood I am working on.

Here are a few "lights on" pics:

Moonlights




2 Lamps running


All lamps on