Jennifer Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Ok, so I am planning on having a tank built that is roughly 85 cm H x 60 cm H x 45 cm D. I want to have a friend make a nice looking, low-profile lighthood to match the wood cabinet. Are there standard sizes for the tubes and fixture that I should be aiming for in a tank this size? I have seen some at the LFS that are 70 cm which seems a bit short but the other size is 86 cm which is too long for the space. I want to make sure replacement tubes are a standard size and would like to consider T5 tubes for the plants if cost permits. Also, how should the light fixture be mounted in the hood so that it is secure and what materials are best to ensure it is not vulnerable to moisture? Does anyone have any plans or 'Dos & Don'ts' for making a nice looking hood? Cheers, J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 I'm assuming by "85 cm H x 60 cm H x 45 cm D" you mean 85cm long, 60cm high and 45cm deep? If so, I'd extend the tank to be 91 or 92 cm long because that would fit 3 foot tubes perfectly but if thta's all space permits then I guess you'll have to comprimise. 60cm is pretty deep so you might want to consider metal halides if you want grow plants well. But if plant's aren't a huge issue then fluorescents should be okay. I've made a couple of hoods and the trick is to keep them low, nothing really tall. My latest one was made out of MDF and sits atop my 2ft tank. It measures 62cm long x 20cm wide x 5 cm tall and houses 4x 18w t8 tubes. Got the fittings off TradeMe. You could also look at using energy saver bulbs mounted in the hood but make sure you get the right colour temp, etc. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 or you can use the 2ft T5 HO hood. I think GLO(or hagen) make them. They are shorter than you need but have extendy bits on the ends that can be suspended over larger tanks. its pretty neat. have a look at one if you can to see what i mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted August 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 I'm assuming by "85 cm H x 60 cm H x 45 cm D" you mean 85cm long, 60cm high and 45cm deep? If so, I'd extend the tank to be 91 or 92 cm long because that would fit 3 foot tubes perfectly but if thta's all space permits then I guess you'll have to comprimise. 60cm is pretty deep so you might want to consider metal halides if you want grow plants well. But if plant's aren't a huge issue then fluorescents should be okay. I've made a couple of hoods and the trick is to keep them low, nothing really tall. My latest one was made out of MDF and sits atop my 2ft tank. It measures 62cm long x 20cm wide x 5 cm tall and houses 4x 18w t8 tubes. Oops!! Yes, that's what I meant! 85 cm W x 60 cm H x 45 cm D That is all great advice. The space is exactly 90 cm wide. If I got a 3 foot tube, would the fixture and then the hood take it past 90 cm? I am thinking it might... I presume metal halides are quite pricey? I like plants and want to do well, but I am not an expert or anything. Still, I think I may reduce the height a little to improve light penetration, perhaps 50 cm is a good compromise. I wanted more volume in a narrow space but already I am going to have to use 10mm glass because it is so tall! Your hood description sounds like what I am after. Is there a reason why you use MDF over other materials? Also, how did you mount the lights (screws sealed with silicone)? And, what did you do for ventilation and condensation control? or you can use the 2ft T5 HO hood. I think GLO(or hagen) make them. They are shorter than you need but have extendy bits on the ends that can be suspended over larger tanks. its pretty neat. have a look at one if you can to see what i mean. That sounds like what I will need to do. I will go have a look for those. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 might be cheaper to buy one metal halide than to buy a t5HO lighthood and tubes to go with that. the 2ft HO may set you back about 250or so all up. please buy the high output ones if at all :lol: 1 MH will be cheaper but you will have to modify the hood to deal with all that heat, but all of it will be cheaper as you can get them off ppl off here. basically -t5's are more expensive but easier, and MH's are cheaper but more hassle to set up with some DIY and fans etc. (unless you suspend the MH over the tank and have the tank with no hood or lids). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thanks Phoenix. 8) I think I will stay away from MH, sounds like more trouble than I want right now! After doing some legwork I found that my choices for T5 tubes are a 55 cm or an 85 cm, with the fitting it comes to 88 cm and with the hood around that I may just fit into the 90 cm space! So I may just make the tank larger. These are my new dimentions: 90 cm W x 45 cm H x 40 cm D. Multiple benefits there: standard light size, shallow enough for plants AND I don't have to use 10mm glass on the sides, and I have more volume to play with! YAY! :bounce: Now, all I need to worry about is how to make this hood... :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 90cm bulbs actuallt take up more than 90cm's of space. Great choice with changing the tank dimensions and lights, it should be awesome. All you need to make is a box (I made mine out of MDF) without the bottom on it. Really great guy on trademe got my T8 (don't think he has T5) fittings and ballasts. Here's my 2ft tank (viewtopic.php?f=2&t=40214). the lighthood is the box you can see in the first pic ontop of the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted August 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Yes, I did some legwork yesterday and I see that 90 cm tubes will be too long for the space. Sadly I think I will have to go to the 2 foot tubes. I don't want large areas of shadow at either end of the tank so I will need to reduce it to no more than about 65 cm wide. On the brighter side (no pun!) I found a great template for the light hood, this is just what I was after: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_canopy2.php I will keep you updated with pics when the tank is up! 8) Thanks for all your advice guys, it was really helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Stagger the tube layout if you do not want dark patches, don't just put them all in the middle or down one end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted August 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 Yeah, I was thinking that too, staggering the lights... but I was going to purchase a fixture that would house two T5 tubes so presumably they will be fixed together. I suppose I could buy two separate fixtures that house only one tube each and stagger their mounting in the hood (I really am no electrical expert here so I don't want to try and make my own fixtures). I will have to price that out and see the price difference. It is a 27 litre difference between the 80 cm wide tank and the 65 cm wide tank......would be so nice to have that additional volume to play with! :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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