My diy hood

[Gee]

Thanks but i got the knob already

Here is an update (pictures !!) we all love pictures !

Here is the planing stage : (what a mess)

 

[Gee]

starting to come along, i build the controller with the help of my brother (thank you bro !)

 

[Gee]

And here comes light !!!!! we had some small problem figuring how the starters had to be wired, but we got it after trying for hours with a starter only to find out the starter was dead !!!

 

[Gee]

here is a shot of the light in the hood with no flash, you can see the reflector i am building, it is made out a mirrors, a got them for nothing at work, they are 3mm thick, so i dont lose to many light going through glass.

 

[Gee]

a shot of the "MARINE CONTROLLER" i had a little fun with the p-touch hehe, looks more profesional this way

Here all cleaned up !

 

[Gee]

and finally , all close. The controller will be inside the stand, all the wires are connected with a 15 connection molex, so i can unplug and take off all the hood without any trouble if i need to.

The controller is simply a project box with all the ballast, the digital timer was taken from the stock hood of my tropiquarium, the controller control all the light and the 2 fans that i need to put in the hood, i might add a little fan to the controller to keep it cooler.

I will have 2 more cheap timer to control the light cycle :

- at 10:00 am the master (digital) timer start, that allow current to pass trough, this only light the actinics.
- at 11:00 am the mecanical timer start the power-glo (18000k)
- at 11:30 am the 2 pc 13 w (6500k) comes on.

THEN

- at 8:30 pm the pc 13 w shuts off.
- at 9:00 pm power-glo shuts off.
- at 10:00 pm the rest shuts off (actinics)

Maybe ill add moonlight with blue leds later.

Do you think it is a good cycle ?

 

[Gee]

Before the mod i had 30 w of light so about 1.76 w/gallon, and now i have 96 w so 5.64 w/gallon.

Its not metal halide but i think it is acceptable.

Total cost is about (canadian money)

wood , hardware and stain :50 $
ballast :23 $
two work lite (pc 13w) :28 $
socket ,wire, box, etc .. :25 $
2 no tube 24" t-8 20 w :35 $
mirror : free
2 no tube 18" t-8 15 w : free , i had them
timer (electronic) : free
2 mecanical timer :10 $

GRAND TOTAL : 171 $

OR 130 USD $

 

[mogurnda]

Looks wonderful. Would you make one for my 20? The light cycle sounds about right to me.

 

[Gee]

Thank you, but i have put so many hours in this project, if my wife see me coming home with a Home-Depot bag or Add-Tronique in my hand you will have to find a room for me at your place

 

[fluffer]

Dude, that's a gnarly set-up for just a 20 gal tank. I just used some 1/4 inch plywood. I used wood putty on the corners and screw heads so there are no seems. Works great, plus I like a square modern look.