spotlights over aquariums (pic)
- Thread starter nvision
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one word...
improv
I have attached an excellent drawing to better help illustrate my idea, i will explain below
rather than spending a bunch of extra money on spotlights and wiring all you need is a can of black, heat-resistant, spray paint (the kind for grills or ovens).
First, unscrew the light from the standard top for your aquarium. Then cut out two small circular pieces of paper or manila folder (i know its rectangular in the drawing, but i hate paint, and its 5-something am). Make sure the pieces arent too big, they shouldnt take up more than the bottom half of your light (circumference, that is). Tape the pieces of paper to the light with some double sided tape or something, and make sure to cover the ends of the bulb so it will work properlly. Use the heat resistant spray paint and go to town on the light. When your done covering the light, take the paper off and you will have two circles that will act as spotlights. Now all you have to do before all this is determine where you want your spot lights to shine.
show me your graditude in any way you want
i prefer money though
nah im just playin, if you decide to do this, however, tell me how it works.
improv
I have attached an excellent drawing to better help illustrate my idea, i will explain below
rather than spending a bunch of extra money on spotlights and wiring all you need is a can of black, heat-resistant, spray paint (the kind for grills or ovens).
First, unscrew the light from the standard top for your aquarium. Then cut out two small circular pieces of paper or manila folder (i know its rectangular in the drawing, but i hate paint, and its 5-something am). Make sure the pieces arent too big, they shouldnt take up more than the bottom half of your light (circumference, that is). Tape the pieces of paper to the light with some double sided tape or something, and make sure to cover the ends of the bulb so it will work properlly. Use the heat resistant spray paint and go to town on the light. When your done covering the light, take the paper off and you will have two circles that will act as spotlights. Now all you have to do before all this is determine where you want your spot lights to shine.
show me your graditude in any way you want
i prefer money though
nah im just playin, if you decide to do this, however, tell me how it works.
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spotlight
here is a pic of something I thought might be worth a try. If you have the type of hood I have, this is easy. Simply take cardboard and cut circles into them (or any other pattern you want to try!) and place them between the bulb and the glass in the hood.
here is a pic of something I thought might be worth a try. If you have the type of hood I have, this is easy. Simply take cardboard and cut circles into them (or any other pattern you want to try!) and place them between the bulb and the glass in the hood.
*heat* *resistant* *paint*??? that's a revelation, i didn't know this stuff exists, lol... shows you learn something new each day. i understand your chart, nice job and thanks for doing it.
the only thing is that i run power compacts which has much narrower bulbs, but i think the modification is the same. aiming at where the light goes might get tricky since the paint, as assumed, will become permanent. deriving from your idea, maybe i can instead use alluminum foil to mask out the tube, and cut holes through it at where i want the light to go. hmm, sounds like a worthwhile project. hey thanks for the tip!
whistler225, that's very cool, you got a similar concept going. but my p.compacts are a bit close to the canopy though, might get too hot for cardboards. but wait a minute... alluminum!!
the only thing is that i run power compacts which has much narrower bulbs, but i think the modification is the same. aiming at where the light goes might get tricky since the paint, as assumed, will become permanent. deriving from your idea, maybe i can instead use alluminum foil to mask out the tube, and cut holes through it at where i want the light to go. hmm, sounds like a worthwhile project. hey thanks for the tip!
whistler225, that's very cool, you got a similar concept going. but my p.compacts are a bit close to the canopy though, might get too hot for cardboards. but wait a minute... alluminum!!
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aluminum would probably work. basically anything heat resistant that you can cut circles in. That way you can use the spotlights whenever you want, or take them out, without a bunch of wiring and without using an extra outlet in your strip. thick plastic would probably work well too, as long as you have something to cut it with.
My only concern is that by wrapping it in foil you will be trapping the heat. This could lead to failure or shorter life of the bulb (or other parts). I would be careful to try and keep some room for air to get in and out.
What's going in the tank? Looks good.
What's going in the tank? Looks good.
actually, I wasn't suggesting wrapping the bulb at all. The cardboard or foil or plastic would be flat with two holes cut in it and placed on the glass pane between the light fixture and the rest of the hood. It wouldn't cut off any more air than the glass pane does already.
i think capt.hook is referring to my thought about wrapping foil over the bulb. good point about the heat issue, and i'll make sure to address that if i do decide to go that route.
as for what to keep in the tank, i thought about revisiting the N. Brichardis, which i've kept and bred for a few years, but decided to try something new. i've ended up picking up a small batch of Julidochromis Marlieri from a local breeder. so far, so good. they showed very nice color the second day in their new home, seems like very fun fish. here's a quick shot i've taken last night,
thanks again for all the help!
as for what to keep in the tank, i thought about revisiting the N. Brichardis, which i've kept and bred for a few years, but decided to try something new. i've ended up picking up a small batch of Julidochromis Marlieri from a local breeder. so far, so good. they showed very nice color the second day in their new home, seems like very fun fish. here's a quick shot i've taken last night,
thanks again for all the help!
Wow cool fish. Never heard of them before so I decided to look them up.
"Eventually, a pair from these will form, at which time all others should be either moved to another tank (where more pairs may develop) or sold off. Once a pair is formed, males will aggressively chase off any other females, and the female will chase off other rival females and all other males. Therefore, to minimize aggression, it is best to remove any remaining fish from this same species"
"Once a pair has formed, it is strongly advised not to change the arrangement of the rocks because these mark the boundaries of the territories of both the male and the female. It is also rumored that any change in décor stresses them out and the stronger of the two will kill the other."
Something to keep in mind that's for sure! Here's where I got it from:
Good Article
"Eventually, a pair from these will form, at which time all others should be either moved to another tank (where more pairs may develop) or sold off. Once a pair is formed, males will aggressively chase off any other females, and the female will chase off other rival females and all other males. Therefore, to minimize aggression, it is best to remove any remaining fish from this same species"
"Once a pair has formed, it is strongly advised not to change the arrangement of the rocks because these mark the boundaries of the territories of both the male and the female. It is also rumored that any change in décor stresses them out and the stronger of the two will kill the other."
Something to keep in mind that's for sure! Here's where I got it from:
Good Article
that's so funny, i've read this same article last week while researching this fish. 75g minimum to house more than a pair of these babies... that's hardcore!! 
