DIY hood / lighting

Z

zerosum

AC Members
Apr 24, 2006
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a 45 gal just fell into my lap for free, I got a deal on a nice fluval..already made my own stand. I don't want to pay some ridiculous price for a canopy/lighting set up. Anyone have any info on some easy DIY projects? I want to have this planted so I'm going to need a good lighting set-up. Please don't tell me to visit my LFS :) There's only one here and they're clueless with outrageous prices. Thanks.
 
In the short term, you can hang a shoplight over it with some t8 bulbs in there. Then you can take your time building a fixture.
 
What Commodore said.

If you have even a little bit of wood working experience (or none at all) you can make a pretty decent canopy. What you house in there is up to you.

A price breakdown of various setups.

Screw in Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) Under $30, but the worst option for that size tank.
T8 lighting, expect to pay around $30-$60
Power Compact, about $100 with bulbs, could be a bit more depending which bulbs you get.
T-5HO about $200+, not cheap, but better than any fluorescent out there
Luxeon LED's would run you about the same as a T5HO, But have several advantages over T-5HO, as well as a few disadvantages (including needing some electrical know-how) But last around 10 years, and seem to grow plants 2-3 times better than PC.


The grades of lighting are simple, CFL<T8<PC<T5<LED however price wise is reversed LED>T5>PC>T8>CFL.

If your interested in LEDs there is a gentlemen here who has already built one, and I am working on one ATM.
 
Thanks guys, keep the responses coming. I plan on having this thing set up within the next couple weeks. I appreciate any ideas and information.
 
I suggets getting a plant growth light and making a DIY reflector with wood and alu
 
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