Aquarium Dude Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 How have people created diy flourescent lights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted December 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 How about getting something like this and getting someone to wire a cord on the end? http://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/lighting_ ... &orderby=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 Pretty much anyone can wire a lead onto them, I always cut leads off appliances if theyre stuffed before chucking them away! If your gonna get something like that this maybe worth a look, theyre a cheapish import but ive bought a couple of similiar lights off these ppl and they seem to work fine just need to wire a lead on and theyll send them do your door which is always a bonus! theyve got various sizes just checkout there other listings http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/La ... 444601.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 ...I always cut leads off appliances if theyre stuffed before chucking them away Ditto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted December 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 how many tubes do you thinck I will need for a 5 foot heavily planted (20'' deep) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quack Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 im currently using one of those lights with a cord add to it. its a matter of putting the red wire to the red hole the black to... etc. they are the same thing as any other fluro but with differnet housing. i have also changed the tubes but theres probley nothing wrong with the ones that it comes with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 how many tubes do you thinck I will need for a 5 foot heavily planted (20'' deep) 20", whats that in metric?? :lol: About 500 isnt it? I would go for 4 36W, 4 foot tubes. The units can be sourced very cheap at bunnings or similiar (just need to be wired) and the tubes are also VERY cheap at bunnings (i payed $6 each for my last two 6500K tubes) My tank is 4 foot, and is 500mm deep, and i only have 2 36W tubes on it ATM and my plants are growing nuts, runners from swords and the lotus go everywhere! I arent running any co2 ATM either. I would reccomend running co2 if you used 4 or so tubes though.... HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 Hey evil those 6500k tubes you bought, do they actually have 6500k on them or not, Ive gotta get some new tubes soon and want to get the 6500k but all I know is to ask for daylight tubes?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 20", whats that in metric?? :lol: About 500 isnt it? I would go for 4 36W, 4 foot tubes. The units can be sourced very cheap at bunnings or similiar (just need to be wired) and the tubes are also VERY cheap at bunnings (i payed $6 each for my last two 6500K tubes) My tank is 4 foot, and is 500mm deep, and i only have 2 36W tubes on it ATM and my plants are growing nuts, runners from swords and the lotus go everywhere! I arent running any co2 ATM either. I would reccomend running co2 if you used 4 or so tubes though.... HTH There's at least two type of 6500K tube available. One is colour 86 and the other colour 96. The 96 has much better colour rendering but is about twice the price. Plants also grow a bit better with the 96's as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted December 19, 2006 Report Share Posted December 19, 2006 Hey evil those 6500k tubes you bought, do they actually have 6500k on them or not, Ive gotta get some new tubes soon and want to get the 6500k but all I know is to ask for daylight tubes?? Yer the last ones i bought did have 6500K written on them, but only small print Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockerpeller Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 there is a trader on trademe that sells the ballasts for cheap. "afishe" is the name. not sure if he visits this forum. they are ballasts to run 2 x 58watt (5ft) tubes. then all you need is the tubes and a hood and your away if thats the way you mean by DIY lights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 For the cord I usually buy a 3 meter extension cord and chop the socket off. Cheaper then a bare 3 pin plug, and long enough, and has an earth. Not many appliances have an earth and a long cord, kitchen appliances are about the only earthed ones I have here and they have a short cord to satisfy the desires of people to protect children from themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted December 20, 2006 Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 For the cord I usually buy a 3 meter extension cord and chop the socket off. Yea, not long ago i found an extension cord in the garage that the female socket was wrecked so i cut it off and am now using the rest of the cord, very long and is earthed and everything... very useful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted December 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2006 You can buy really fancy earthed and insulated pins at jaycar electronics for $6.70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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