Time

After cutting, sanding, drilling, and wiring my aquarium light fixture is finally complete. It can hold a 40 watt light for corals I just need to go get it. Now here is how I did it, if you are interested.

I got some old wood that was laying around and cut a plank equal to the length if my tank. I also cut two small parts around three inches. After sanding to make it look brand new and smooth out the edges I just cut little inlays in the small parts so that the light stand fits right onto my tank top snugly. I glued the pieces together after that. Then came the waiting. After I drilled three holes at the top for wires to slip through from the switch. The rest was wiring and putting the light fixture into the exact spot. I got some used parts for that but some of the wires are new. My dad helped me with the electrical stuff and drilling. Some of this required two people like holding something in place to connect something or hold the actual stand in place to drill into it. I only drilled two holes. My dad did the third one. I owe it to him and my mom(she let my use the power tool). I still have all my fingers and could take some pictures. I tested it with a black light I found and to my surprise it didn't work. One of the pieces of the light fixture was loose but I just got a screw driver and fixed it up. I am really proud of saying "I" instead of "we" this time. Here are some pictures.

Attached Images

	HNI_0054.JPG (19.8 KB, 126 views)
	HNI_0057.JPG (16.2 KB, 124 views)
	HNI_0058.JPG (50.6 KB, 125 views)
	HNI_0059.JPG (48.5 KB, 122 views)
	HNI_0060.JPG (38.7 KB, 121 views)

Time

The holes lead to the switch and the transformer. You can see my turtle tank in the second pic! (right corner you see the top)

Attached Images

	HNI_0065.JPG (38.0 KB, 24 views)
	HNI_0062.JPG (41.4 KB, 17 views)

iloveengl

I don't know anything about wiring and that sort of thing, but it looks pretty neat from what I can see! Nice do-it-yourself job.

Time

Yeah thanks! I dropped my current light right now so my tank is left with no lighting. I will get some tomorrow if my dad doesn't back out. I plan on putting another panel on it to cover the wiring and light from the front view.

mathas

Unless you chose a vapor-tight fixture, I'd worry more about shielding the wiring and other electrical components from evaporation than I would from being seen.

The reason most aquarium lighting fixtures have (or can optionally have) some type of acrylic panel between the bulb and the tank is to keep water vapor out. I'm no electrician, but I'd be worried about possible corrosion over time, which could become a fire/shock hazard.

Time

Yeah I was planing on sheilding it with acrylic. I just need to get a large panel. I was thinking on making another little stand to complete the canopy and have more light. I as planing on putting screw in florescent to look like moon light. I plan to leave the back open maybe only acrylic to it illuminates the back wall and the tank looks brighter.

eiginh

I use a perfecto glass top to shield my lights. It's not attached to the fixture but it's blocking water splashes. It's sittong on the inner ledges of the tank. I think it'll block the water vapors getting in. Pls correct me of I'm wrong.

aquarist48

Good DIY project TimeKeeper. Just be careful. Glad to hear you are going to shield the light fixture.
Ken

peacemaker92

Looks good!

Time

I am actually trying to do a better one right now. I just need a saw that can cut metal.

Scott H

if your using metal to make a slot for the acrylic shield an easier way to do that would be use a router to cut a slot in the up-rites, then you could slide the shield in and out easy as pie...
hope that helps

himira

wow...your light so good..thanks your info..

Time

Still working on it but I need just one part. I broke one of the little things to put the light in. This is just like a first draft I am currently using it but I plan to make another one like my finished product because this one had holes in the wrong place and didn't look so nice. Starting on another on as soon as possible.