Kookie Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Ok. I've got a 1500L & 500w tank that I need to light up. What's the best way for me to do this? IE what sort of lights, places to get bits from and refelectors? Ya you know what I mean. Any and all DIY hints welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 You can DIY it, or I have one of these light units available for $40 for you. Only difference is mine have a white power cable and missing the perspex cover. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=48306057 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 I made some up for my tanks using lengths of spouting. Should be able to get a 1.2 piece from a friendly plumber, and two end caps, left and right. Paint to suit you decor, and I used a spray can of chrome paint for the inside to improve reflection. Pegasus used to have parts for the units. Email or PM him for availability and price. You'll also need some electrical cable and a plug. I prefer a tap-on plug cause the light always stays plugged in, you'll also need a button switch, mounted on the unit or an inline switch on the power cable. Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappers Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 gees i even got some guttering under my deck u can have might have some end caps to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 You guys have covered making a DIY hood but I'm pretty sure she's having a stand and hood made professional-like (wood and everything) so she's more asking what to get for fittings and how to wire it and such... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEKA Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Anyone used that reflective film that they sell in the hydoponics shops. It looks real shiny and you could line the inside of the lite hood with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kookie Posted February 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 Thanks for the replies all. I am having my stand and hood etc made for me, so need to know what I need to light it all up. I've gathered quite a bit of info from these posts already. If anyone has anything to add please do. Full on DIY is not a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 That's what I use, Weka. Bought a big roll of it. Bit of a pain to get it in there nicely, but seems to work well with a bunch of double sided tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEKA Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Thanks Ira I bought a couple of metres of it to try. Even if it gets a few ripples in it should still give a good effect. Might use silicon to hold it in place - the double sided tape might let go after a while with the heat from the lites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Excuse me for resurrecting an old thread, just thought I'd share my DIY lighting experience... I made my lights using bathroom heatlamp shades. I use energy-saving bulbs (cool white, not warm white) with the normal bayonet fitting. They have in-line switches and are connected to timers so each light can be independently controlled. The advantage of this style over the long lights is that I can "spotlight" individual plants and ensure each plant (or bunch of plants) gets exactly the wattage they need. Perfect for red plants or other high-light plants. By the way, the 'cool white' bulb is 6500k (ie daylight spectrum). Perfect spectrum for freshwater plants, very cheap, available at the big red shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 For a tank that size I would look at T5 ligthing if if you really want to go hard MH. But T5 would do the job, if you use T8 you will have to have so many of them to light the tank enough for plants you wont be able to get in the top. You can get the T5 batton fittings from any electical wholesaler should only be $40 odd each. I would go 4foot because the bulb will be easier and cheap to get. I'm using 3 foot on my marine tank and getting the bulbs is a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted April 2, 2006 Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 ops sorry didnt spot it was an old tread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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