Homemade Lighting System?

MarbleShark · 06-23-2006, 03:21 PM

I was wondering if anyone has made their own. I went to the store and I saw what they are selling for lighting systems and it does not to me seem that hard.

Build a box that can fit over the tank and sit smoothly
Mount two fluorescent bulbs.. one night and one day.. and independant power cords so that they can be regulated on a timer
Fan on either end.. I was told one inflow and one outflow would keep it cooler (thoughts?)
Hinge opening in front and cuts in the back so that stuff on the back can go into the tank.
Stain it to match stand.

What do you all think? Has anyone had any luck with doing something like this? I would love any schematics or input. I have a 55 Gallon 48 long that I do not want to have to change again in 6 months.. I want to be able to put anenomes in it and possibly down the road corals.

BoomerD · 06-23-2006, 03:28 PM

Sure, you can indeed DIY lights, but you will need to use the right components. Unless your tank is a FO, you will need much more than normal output fluorescents. Most use either T-5 HO or VHO, (or power compacts). You need the proper endcaps to keep saltwater/saltcreep away from the bulb pins. It's corrosive, and can cause a fire. You CAN buy VHO ballasts at Home Depot or similar stores, and each ballast should have it's own wiring diagram. Personally, I prefer Ice Cap ballasts. Electronic instead of tar type, VERY efficient, you can run a wide variety of bulbs and bulb combinations with them.

MarbleShark · 06-23-2006, 03:31 PM

Have you done this yourself? Could you give me a laundry list of things that I need to get for this since you seem to know alot more about it than myself? I know some parts like the bulbs I will most likely end up getting from my LFS but if you could tell me everything I can pick up from Home Depot that would be great.

Kensn · 06-23-2006, 05:06 PM

I did my own hood. I am using metal halide and atinic fluorescent bulbs. The 2 plugs on each side of the inside are quick disconeects for the fluorescents, which are mounted to acrylic stands I made to sit directly on the tank. This is a photo of the almost finished product minus the hinged front. I made the reflectors at work and bought the sockets locally.....

You can also see 2 of the four fans sitting behind the MH sockets, these 2 blow air out, and there are 2 on the top that push cool air in...

If you are bored you can read a little more about them here

http://home.comcast.net/~kensn/stand_&_hood.htm

MitchellDD · 07-11-2006, 07:07 PM

About how much did all the electrical cost?
Never tried rigging one up, but I tend to catch onto things fairly quick(especially if I can save any $)
And I get lighting at wholesale(which is still ridiculously expensive)
Im also DIYng a chiller soon,so what you put together is appealing as well,
Thanks

06-23-2006, 03:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Homemade Lighting System? I was wondering if anyone has made their own. I went to the store and I saw what they are selling for lighting systems and it does not to me seem that hard. Build a box that can fit over the tank and sit smoothly Mount two fluorescent bulbs.. one night and one day.. and independant power cords so that they can be regulated on a timer Fan on either end.. I was told one inflow and one outflow would keep it cooler (thoughts?) Hinge opening in front and cuts in the back so that stuff on the back can go into the tank. Stain it to match stand. What do you all think? Has anyone had any luck with doing something like this? I would love any schematics or input. I have a 55 Gallon 48 long that I do not want to have to change again in 6 months.. I want to be able to put anenomes in it and possibly down the road corals.

06-23-2006, 03:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Homemade Lighting System? Sure, you can indeed DIY lights, but you will need to use the right components. Unless your tank is a FO, you will need much more than normal output fluorescents. Most use either T-5 HO or VHO, (or power compacts). You need the proper endcaps to keep saltwater/saltcreep away from the bulb pins. It's corrosive, and can cause a fire. You CAN buy VHO ballasts at Home Depot or similar stores, and each ballast should have it's own wiring diagram. Personally, I prefer Ice Cap ballasts. Electronic instead of tar type, VERY efficient, you can run a wide variety of bulbs and bulb combinations with them. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

06-23-2006, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Homemade Lighting System? Have you done this yourself? Could you give me a laundry list of things that I need to get for this since you seem to know alot more about it than myself? I know some parts like the bulbs I will most likely end up getting from my LFS but if you could tell me everything I can pick up from Home Depot that would be great.

06-23-2006, 05:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kensn Elegance coral Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Auburn Wa. Posts: 1,249 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Homemade Lighting System? I did my own hood. I am using metal halide and atinic fluorescent bulbs. The 2 plugs on each side of the inside are quick disconeects for the fluorescents, which are mounted to acrylic stands I made to sit directly on the tank. This is a photo of the almost finished product minus the hinged front. I made the reflectors at work and bought the sockets locally..... You can also see 2 of the four fans sitting behind the MH sockets, these 2 blow air out, and there are 2 on the top that push cool air in... If you are bored you can read a little more about them here http://home.comcast.net/~kensn/stand_&_hood.htm __________________ Ken When the ebbing tide retreats Along the rocky shoreline It leaves a trail of tidal pools In a short-lived galaxy Rush

07-11-2006, 07:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
MitchellDD Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Homemade Lighting System? About how much did all the electrical cost? Never tried rigging one up, but I tend to catch onto things fairly quick(especially if I can save any $) And I get lighting at wholesale(which is still ridiculously expensive) Im also DIYng a chiller soon,so what you put together is appealing as well, Thanks

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