diy hood light. 29 florescent 27 watt day light bulbs

[platytudes]

So maybe what needs to happen here is that someone needs to suggest how to make your DIY hood safer. I bet it's possible to work with the existing design and improve it so that it's not so tenuous.

And as far as efficiency goes - I am not sure why you would need so much light. I doubt you can make this a high tech planted tank with the kind of fish you are keeping. Perhaps you just want this much light for viewing your fish - but without tons of plants I imagine that you will get algae issues out the wazoo!

And there are very bright lights, T5s for example, that could have a more pleasing color rendering for less operating cost in the long run (a year or two). Only time will tell how long your bulbs last under these conditions, if you have to replace 29 of them once a year that's something else to consider.

There's a saying, "A poor man can only afford the very best"

 

[platytudes]

i dont think that you all understand that this is 14 gauge solid wire (not braided) nothing is going to shift i have a hard time pulling the light bar from the box because the wire is so stiff.

Ah, and you see how a write up at the beginning would have made this clear! :duh:

 

[iamvictor2k]

So maybe what needs to happen here is that someone needs to suggest how to make your DIY hood safer. I bet it's possible to work with the existing design and improve it so that it's not so tenuous.

And as far as efficiency goes - I am not sure why you would need so much light. I doubt you can make this a high tech planted tank with the kind of fish you are keeping. Perhaps you just want this much light for viewing your fish - but without tons of plants I imagine that you will get algae issues out the wazoo!

And there are very bright lights, T5s for example, that could have a more pleasing color rendering for less operating cost in the long run (a year or two). Only time will tell how long your bulbs last under these conditions, if you have to replace 29 of them once a year that's something else to consider.

There's a saying, "A poor man can only afford the very best"

i appreciate the suggestions but my hood is safe. if you could be here in person you would understand. if my lights go out i keep my receipt and take them back to home depot for 3 years and get them replaced for free. bet yall cant say that bout your bulbs. i heard the same type of comments about my diy 5 gallon canister filter too but i am still using it with no problems to this day. my light has 2 timers on it that control half the lights for the majority of the day and then around noon all the lights come on so if i have problems with algae i will adjust my timers no problem. i also have seen alot of diy hoods with compact florescent and they work fine for plants
i dont know why all these negative comments. its up its operational and it is doing what i want it to right now with no problems. if i have problems i will update yall on it. my plants have already grown since i have put the lights in and they are alot more green.

 

[iamvictor2k]

Ah, and you see how a write up at the beginning would have made this clear! :duh:

i didnt have time for a write up by the time i posted the pics i got pounded with comments.

 

[mellowvision]

I think the reason that it's important for us to speak up when we see unsafe projects, is that people look here for suggestions for their own project. I'd hate to see some kid try to replicate this design.

Just because you soldered everything doesn't make it safe, up to code, or a good example for others. You could have made a very similar, but much safer system, by using parts in their intended way.

 

[vequalsir]

Saying that a project is unsafe. Is far different from having a reason why.

14ga wire is rated for 20amps. The total lighting will only pull a little over 6. How does a fire start? As long as the solder joints are solid, you will not have any problem with heat. The bulb wiring is covered and protect from the outside world.

The only real argument that can be made is that it looks like the insulation was burned a bit while making the connections. We are only talking looks here.

If we are going to call a project dangerous, have a good reason. I'm not seeing it here. I'm also betting that most people are wrapping narrower gauge wire carrying more current around Christmas trees every year.

 

[iamvictor2k]

Saying that a project is unsafe. Is far different from having a reason why.

14ga wire is rated for 20amps. The total lighting will only pull a little over 6. How does a fire start? As long as the solder joints are solid, you will not have any problem with heat. The bulb wiring is covered and protect from the outside world.

The only real argument that can be made is that it looks like the insulation was burned a bit while making the connections. We are only talking looks here.

If we are going to call a project dangerous, have a good reason. I'm not seeing it here. I'm also betting that most people are wrapping narrower gauge wire carrying more current around Christmas trees every year.

thanks one more time for know what you are talking about. i know there are different ways to make the wiring. i know that you could spend more money on the project and put heat wrap over the whole box if you wanted to. i know you could also spend more money and get water tight connections but all this is not necessary. o yeah the burnt wire coding was because the wires were so thick that a solder gun wouldn't work so i had to use a propane torch to make them solder together.

 

[247Plants]

Saying that a project is unsafe. Is far different from having a reason why.

14ga wire is rated for 20amps. The total lighting will only pull a little over 6. How does a fire start? As long as the solder joints are solid, you will not have any problem with heat. The bulb wiring is covered and protect from the outside world.

The only real argument that can be made is that it looks like the insulation was burned a bit while making the connections. We are only talking looks here.

If we are going to call a project dangerous, have a good reason. I'm not seeing it here. I'm also betting that most people are wrapping narrower gauge wire carrying more current around Christmas trees every year.

My christmas tree isnt made out of water and I dont wrap lights around my aquarium.

14 gauge is only rated for 15 amps when the insulation is intact and the proper connections are used, you are thinking of 12 gauge. And if you go by building standards here in California, from memory when I was an electrician, we couldnt put more than 14 total receptacles on one circuit. As far as heat goes, you will not only have the heat that builds up from the current, you are also introducing heat from the bulbs and ballasts themselves. Add into that condensation and its a recipe for fire. This isnt my opinion here, I draw this from experience. ANY exposed wire is a possible fire hazard, whether it be in a box, running through a wall or in this case, above an aquarium. Why do you think that UL wont put their stamp on a lot of aquarium light fixtures? Because its hot electricity hanging over a box full of water.

thanks one more time for know what you are talking about. i know there are different ways to make the wiring. i know that you could spend more money on the project and put heat wrap over the whole box if you wanted to. i know you could also spend more money and get water tight connections but all this is not necessary. o yeah the burnt wire coding was because the wires were so thick that a solder gun wouldn't work so i had to use a propane torch to make them solder together.

I am starting to wonder if you are here for advice or to find somebody who agrees with your ludicrous ideas. You thank this guy for giving you advice that is lukewarm at best, yet argue with the people who are giving you practical advice that is built from experience and careers? I think you need to go back and reread your threads and look at them from a practical point instead of trying to argue that what you know is best. Obviously you dont do your homework or any kind of real research before you do these projects that you claim are one of a kind.

 

[vequalsir]

Victor..
tell us in six months if your house burns down.

I bet your filter will fail at the same time and put out said fire.

 

[wesleydnunder]

There's a reason you had to use a torch on the solder connections. Those sockets are not "listed for the use" with those type terminations, which means, they are not designed for solder terminations. Nor are the prongs on the timers.

People who know what they're talking about have tried to tell you the faults with the project yet, as 247plants pointed out, you tell the one individual who agrees with you that he is the one who knows what he's doing. 247 plants is a technician who did electric work for his job. Sploke was an elecrical engineering major. I'm a master electrician and electrical inspector. Begin to see a trend here? It's the ones who know what they're doing whose advice you're ignoring. Fine, when the house burns down and you try to make a claim, the first thing they're going to look at is the incorrect way the hood wiring was done and toss the claim out.

Mark