Need DIY lighting help

S

snickle

AC Members
Jan 4, 2007
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My 90G is used and the lighting need help. The previous owner was running a reef tank. He took 2 - All-Glass Aquarium 48" Compact Fluorescent Light Strips (2x55W Actinic each) and added 2 T8 10,000K bulbs to them. The nett result is very bright, but the cover and reflectors have been hacked to death.

I only use a single one on my Tropical tank. The other one has way too many loose parts to make me feel secure.

I am going to build a full hood out of 1/2 inch MDF with the top hinged. I would like to reuse as much of the lighting as I can.

My thoughts are:

2 good compact ballasts
4 good fittings for the bulbs
4 okay bulbs (I don't think Actinic is best for a Tropical)

No supports for the bulbs (The current ones want work)
No cover for the bases. Not sure this is a big deal I have a glass cover on the tank.

Where can I get the parts I need?

Is painting the inside of the canopy white enough or should I find some reflectors?

Any advice?
 
My first bit of advice is rethink using MDF. It's a sponge, and starts to fall apart as soon as it gets wet. Find a local woodworker's supply store and look for some baltic birch plywood. I'm going to be building a canopy soon too, I bought two dual-bulb shoplights that I'm overdriving, using T12 Philips Daylight Deluxe bulbs. I'm just going to paint the inside white.
 
Heres a link http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100166 to a canopy I just built - everything was purchased at Home Depot. I built mine out of 3/4" boards, but I wanted a bombproof canopy. 1/2" is plenty and will keep the weight down. I ran some 1x4's across the inside of the canopy to mount the lights on so they wouldnt come up with the top. It'll also allow me to move the lights for cleaning and such. A 96 watt AH supply kit is going on ea runner. Only thing left is to prime and paint. Very easy to build and its exactly the way I want it.
 
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