Blue Cathode...Moon Lights on a Budget!!!

[centralharbor]

An alternative to crimping to a wall wart is using one of these:

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556029977.html

then you could just drill 4 holes for zip ties to secure the power brick onto the lighting cover and if you wanted to make it more resistant to water, just get some big heat shrink tubing and put it over the molex connector. It might even be cheaper since you don't have to buy crimps, but you do need to pay shipping.

 

[sawyer1206]

An alternative to crimping to a wall wart is using one of these:

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556029977.html

then you could just drill 4 holes for zip ties to secure the power brick onto the lighting cover and if you wanted to make it more resistant to water, just get some big heat shrink tubing and put it over the molex connector. It might even be cheaper since you don't have to buy crimps, but you do need to pay shipping.

Very cool, I will may try this on my next light kit.

 

[mostlycichlids]

I have done this on 3 of my tanks. I am very pleased with the results on all of them. The only downfall is you need more space for another large plug and a timer. I had to buy another power strip. I didn't use your DIY for this but one of the best explained cool cathalode DIY's in my opinion! Nice work and love the steps with pics.

 

[KSRG]

I would just like to suggest sticking with a 12 volt light/LED system instead of running 120V into the tank. Much like pond lighting (or even outdoor Malibu), 12volt (low voltage) would be much safer. So, whatever the type of lighting, as long as the power line going into the tank will be 12 volts, it would be much safer. Some LED's are made for 120V systems, but please go with a low voltage (12 volt) system.

My 2 cents for what it's worth...

 

[mostlycichlids]

I would just like to suggest sticking with a 12 volt light/LED system instead of running 120V into the tank. Much like pond lighting (or even outdoor Malibu), 12volt (low voltage) would be much safer. So, whatever the type of lighting, as long as the power line going into the tank will be 12 volts, it would be much safer. Some LED's are made for 120V systems, but please go with a low voltage (12 volt) system.

My 2 cents for what it's worth...

Thats what the voltage inverter is for 120v AC to 12v DC. Actually I run mine on 9v opposed to 12v.

 

[loaches r cool]

I really know very few people that dont have 120v wired in there tank... lighting, filters, powerheads... I suppose most of those are designed for such environments, but many people still build there own lighting like myself, that uses 120vac.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

I just did this mod to my light fixture and man what a great look it adds to the tank. I used one cold cathode light kit for my 75 and its perfect for under 20 bucks I have awesome moonlights now!

great step by step instructions Sawyer1206

 

[charlie4486]

I run mine on 6.5 volts. 12 and 9 were just a little too bright. most people i have talked to agree with 6v.

 

[timinny]

if i use the adaptor the coolerguys sells, i will need one or two for each duel lamp, and if i got it it would just be the adaptor from coolerguys and the duel lamp from e-bay, zip tie clips and zipties from homedepot and im on my way to moon lights, what am i missing, seams to easy
thanks tim

 

[beviking]

Good God! 3 pages...sorry if it's been covered but I found just two to be too bright over a 92gal corner tank. Since I painted the inside of the hood/canopy white, I just covered the bottom half of the cathode tubes with black electrical tape and mounted them so the top 1/2 would reflect and give a more even light. These things are WAY easier to deal with than so many LED's!!!!:headbang2: