Reid

I have finished the rough work on the lighting project for the 33g under my 75g. If you are not sure what I am talking about, check my second post here for pictures of the rough build I started a while ago.

My idea for a DIY light hood for low light planted tank.

So, here is what I did. I went to a demolition site (office building) and asked if they had a large 4' florescent fixture I could buy. They told me I could have one if I wanted one and directed me to where they had them piled up. I brought one home, that fits 4 48" florescent tubes. So I cleaned it up, and rewired the ballasts to ensure a clean connection. Now I had the task of finding a way to fix it to the bottom of the 75g frame. Home depot time!!

After some thought, I decided I was going to use metal wire ($3.99) and find a way to hide it all later. I just wanted to put it in place and test it before paint. I also grabbed a 3-prong plug ($5.98) to make a male connection on the end of the bare power wire. (just in case someone wants to do this as well, be sure you put the white wire with the silver screw, black wire with the brass screw and ground with the green screw) After I put it up and centered it, leaving a 1/4 inch around the whole thing to ensure air flow, I decided the wire works perfect and wants going to need anything else. I also grabbed a timer power bar ($14.99) that is going to run lights on both tanks, main and moon. Each of the four programmable spots can be programed on their own schedule, so no more turning on and off lights. HANDS FREE!!

For lights (right now, I haven't decided on lights yet, still doing research and asking for advice...so if you have a idea let me know!!!) I have 2 48" F40T12 plant and aquarium tubes, and 2 regular F40T12. Im not sure of the combination I am going to use yet.

I may be looking for a 55g to take the place of the 33g, I think I have to much light for that small tank now...lol Go big or go home!!

So here are some pictures of the build. Keep in mind I still need to paint and finish the project, this is still just a rough build. Any input is welcome!!! Please let me know what you think, good or bad, or any changes you think I should make.

Thanks again to everyone here on fishlore for all the helpful info I have found in searching the forum! Sooooo much info on here...I love it!

Cheers!!!

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Nate McFin

Hello,
Thinks look like they are moving along!
That looks like alot of light there unless you plan on Co2 injection. Are the lights on a single switch? If they are you could set them up to run part in the morning, then switching to all four, and back to 2 in the evening. You are correct about the light sitting up etc. but anything over 3 W per gln, Co2 is almost a must to keep algae under control.
Thanks for the update,
Nate

Reid

Right now the ballasts are strung together, but I was thinking about separating them and trying to find different lights for 2 spots (possibly moon light strips instead of t12s so the moon lights are on one side and mains on the other) But then again, I could find a 55g aquarium to put down there, add some more supports, and that would bring the WPG down to 2.9 with keeping the same set up. I am going to turn them for a test run to see the effects of the heat produced by the fixture on the 75g. I am hoping it is not going to be to much. If it is, I am going to add some computer fans under the fixture to push the heat out the sides.

But if I keep the same set up, and I get a DIY Co2 built for it, it should run fine? Should I be building one of these anyway for any planted tank, or just if the light is over 3WPG?

Thanks again for your input! It is all greatly appreciated