DIY Lighting projects

Pro_builder · 12-12-2003, 01:01 AM

Please submit your lighting schemes, and pictures of them.
The more ideas that we have in here, the easier it is for other DIY'ers to pic a idea that will work in thier situation.
Post away.

Pro_builder · 12-12-2003, 01:04 AM

Here is my lighting:
2- 250 watt MH w/ XM 10K bulbs.
4- 55 watt PC Actinic 03's
No moonlights yet but, trying to divise a plan for them soon.

mikej11 · 12-12-2003, 03:18 AM

I had to do a little research on this one. The follow link was my guide to making my own MH Ballast.

http://ryansreef.reefaquariumguide.com/DIY_MH.htm

I got the Advance Ballasts form Ryan which got them from a contact at Advance. I used old Computer Power Supplies -> took out all the boards and wires - left the fans intact. I went to RadioShack and got 3-wire plugs and got some 3-wire cords for cheap at a second-hand shop. I ordered the MH sockets and reflector from Hellolights.com and wired them up. Not to hard.

I bought a NO ballast from Lowes and wired up the NO Actinics with waterproof end caps. (I should be getting my IceCap 430 ballast soon - I will be changing out the NO to VHO) Since I have a 55gl and the width of the tank is 12-13 inches I could not go with the spider reflectors. (I will on my 120gl) I could provide pictures of the entire system, if anyone wants to see.

I also would like to give Ryan from Ryan’s Reef the credit for holding on to the DIY MH ballast webpage and thanks for all the help.

HTH

Michael J

Pro_builder · 12-12-2003, 09:58 AM

Mike, would you post a picture of your setup, please. I am trying to get people new comers an Idea od different ways to setup there systems. Thanks for the link.

Alf · 12-12-2003, 10:12 AM

DIY Canopy For my 120 gal 4x2x2
Made from 3/4" Birtch and 1x2's
2 x 400w MH 6500K Iw. Powered By a PFO dual ballast
2 x 55w PC Atinic O3's powered by a dual CSL Ballast
1 MoonBeam MoonLite
2 x 4" Ice Cap thermal controled Fans

mikej11 · 12-12-2003, 12:28 PM

Front of canopy:

NO Ballast:

DIY MH Ballast1:

DIY MH Ballast2:

Inside Left of Canopy:

Inside Right of Canopy:

I hope this sheds 'Light' on my DIY Canopy with Lights.

Do a search on google - DIY Canopy - and you can find almost anything.

HTH

Michael J

mikej11 · 12-12-2003, 12:31 PM

Ok there are some pictures of my canopy - I have not finished it yet. I want to paint the inside white and paint the outside black (to match stand). I also need to clean up the wiring.

Michael J

Scooterman · 12-12-2003, 12:39 PM

Sorry this is the only shot I have!
IC 660 thre 5ft bulbs, 420w

I need more but pocket book says no at this time

Well for what I want to get, that is.

Thanks Troy, this is what we need to keep doing, this will eventually become the best place for begginers & advanced reefers alike.

THanks!

HAP · 12-12-2003, 02:51 PM

My plan for my 75g tank. It has two 250 metal halides in spider reflectors, two 55 watt actininc power compacts, two newly installed 24 watt actinincs and a moonlight.

HAP · 12-12-2003, 02:52 PM

Completed canopy...

HAP · 12-12-2003, 02:52 PM

Another shot with the lower door open...

HAP · 12-12-2003, 02:53 PM

Another shot...

HAP · 12-12-2003, 02:54 PM

Here's the most recent after I installed the T5's on the forward side...

HAP · 12-12-2003, 02:55 PM

I used a 6 foot blue rope light from Lowes for my moonlight...

mikej11 · 12-12-2003, 04:15 PM

Hey Hap - how well does the moonlight work for ya. Do you run it all night everynight?

Thanks,

Michael J

12-12-2003, 01:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	DIY Lighting projects Please submit your lighting schemes, and pictures of them. The more ideas that we have in here, the easier it is for other DIY'ers to pic a idea that will work in thier situation. Post away. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-12-2003, 01:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here is my lighting: 2- 250 watt MH w/ XM 10K bulbs. 4- 55 watt PC Actinic 03's No moonlights yet but, trying to divise a plan for them soon. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-12-2003, 03:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
mikej11 Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kauai, HI Posts: 82 View Gallery Karma Komment	I had to do a little research on this one. The follow link was my guide to making my own MH Ballast. http://ryansreef.reefaquariumguide.com/DIY_MH.htm I got the Advance Ballasts form Ryan which got them from a contact at Advance. I used old Computer Power Supplies -> took out all the boards and wires - left the fans intact. I went to RadioShack and got 3-wire plugs and got some 3-wire cords for cheap at a second-hand shop. I ordered the MH sockets and reflector from Hellolights.com and wired them up. Not to hard. I bought a NO ballast from Lowes and wired up the NO Actinics with waterproof end caps. (I should be getting my IceCap 430 ballast soon - I will be changing out the NO to VHO) Since I have a 55gl and the width of the tank is 12-13 inches I could not go with the spider reflectors. (I will on my 120gl) I could provide pictures of the entire system, if anyone wants to see. I also would like to give Ryan from Ryan’s Reef the credit for holding on to the DIY MH ballast webpage and thanks for all the help. HTH Michael J __________________ PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in Kauai, Hawaii

12-12-2003, 09:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mike, would you post a picture of your setup, please. I am trying to get people new comers an Idea od different ways to setup there systems. Thanks for the link. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-12-2003, 10:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Alf Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Venus, Texas Posts: 262 View Gallery Karma Komment	DIY Canopy For my 120 gal 4x2x2 Made from 3/4" Birtch and 1x2's 2 x 400w MH 6500K Iw. Powered By a PFO dual ballast 2 x 55w PC Atinic O3's powered by a dual CSL Ballast 1 MoonBeam MoonLite 2 x 4" Ice Cap thermal controled Fans __________________ Robert http://www.bf2player.com/sig/351848.png

12-12-2003, 12:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikej11 Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kauai, HI Posts: 82 View Gallery Karma Komment	Front of canopy: NO Ballast: DIY MH Ballast1: DIY MH Ballast2: Inside Left of Canopy: Inside Right of Canopy: I hope this sheds 'Light' on my DIY Canopy with Lights. Do a search on google - DIY Canopy - and you can find almost anything. HTH Michael J __________________ PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in Kauai, Hawaii Last edited by mikej11 : 12-12-2003 at 12:38 PM.

12-12-2003, 12:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
mikej11 Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kauai, HI Posts: 82 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ok there are some pictures of my canopy - I have not finished it yet. I want to paint the inside white and paint the outside black (to match stand). I also need to clean up the wiring. Michael J __________________ PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in Kauai, Hawaii Last edited by mikej11 : 12-12-2003 at 12:39 PM.

12-12-2003, 12:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sorry this is the only shot I have! IC 660 thre 5ft bulbs, 420w I need more but pocket book says no at this time Well for what I want to get, that is. Thanks Troy, this is what we need to keep doing, this will eventually become the best place for begginers & advanced reefers alike. THanks! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

12-12-2003, 02:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
HAP Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lewisville, TX...but my heart is in Chicago! Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	My plan for my 75g tank. It has two 250 metal halides in spider reflectors, two 55 watt actininc power compacts, two newly installed 24 watt actinincs and a moonlight. __________________ Definition: Aquarium (n) A hole in your living room in which you throw money. [And I thought this would be cheaper than going to Aruba to dive - Yeah! Right!!] Oceanic 75g Reef Ready, DIY stand and canopy, 50g sump/refugium with 125lbs+ Fiji live rock, Turboflotor Multi Skimmer, 2 – 250w Metal Halides running Ushio 10k lamps, 110w Actinic, DIY moonlight, several corals (mostly softies but a few SPS and LPS as well), a bi-color blenny (Benny), a yellow Tang (Jet), 2 percula clowns (Frick & Frack), a blue spotted jawfish (Spot), a red-lipped blenny (Red), a dragon goby (Puff), a psychedelic mandarin (Mandy), a diamond sifter (Jewel), a green bta, a rose bta, a couple serpent stars, a coral banded shrimp and several crabs and snails who will remain anonymous...

12-12-2003, 02:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
HAP Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lewisville, TX...but my heart is in Chicago! Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Completed canopy... __________________ Definition: Aquarium (n) A hole in your living room in which you throw money. [And I thought this would be cheaper than going to Aruba to dive - Yeah! Right!!] Oceanic 75g Reef Ready, DIY stand and canopy, 50g sump/refugium with 125lbs+ Fiji live rock, Turboflotor Multi Skimmer, 2 – 250w Metal Halides running Ushio 10k lamps, 110w Actinic, DIY moonlight, several corals (mostly softies but a few SPS and LPS as well), a bi-color blenny (Benny), a yellow Tang (Jet), 2 percula clowns (Frick & Frack), a blue spotted jawfish (Spot), a red-lipped blenny (Red), a dragon goby (Puff), a psychedelic mandarin (Mandy), a diamond sifter (Jewel), a green bta, a rose bta, a couple serpent stars, a coral banded shrimp and several crabs and snails who will remain anonymous...

12-12-2003, 02:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
HAP Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lewisville, TX...but my heart is in Chicago! Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Another shot with the lower door open... __________________ Definition: Aquarium (n) A hole in your living room in which you throw money. [And I thought this would be cheaper than going to Aruba to dive - Yeah! Right!!] Oceanic 75g Reef Ready, DIY stand and canopy, 50g sump/refugium with 125lbs+ Fiji live rock, Turboflotor Multi Skimmer, 2 – 250w Metal Halides running Ushio 10k lamps, 110w Actinic, DIY moonlight, several corals (mostly softies but a few SPS and LPS as well), a bi-color blenny (Benny), a yellow Tang (Jet), 2 percula clowns (Frick & Frack), a blue spotted jawfish (Spot), a red-lipped blenny (Red), a dragon goby (Puff), a psychedelic mandarin (Mandy), a diamond sifter (Jewel), a green bta, a rose bta, a couple serpent stars, a coral banded shrimp and several crabs and snails who will remain anonymous...

12-12-2003, 02:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
HAP Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lewisville, TX...but my heart is in Chicago! Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Another shot... __________________ Definition: Aquarium (n) A hole in your living room in which you throw money. [And I thought this would be cheaper than going to Aruba to dive - Yeah! Right!!] Oceanic 75g Reef Ready, DIY stand and canopy, 50g sump/refugium with 125lbs+ Fiji live rock, Turboflotor Multi Skimmer, 2 – 250w Metal Halides running Ushio 10k lamps, 110w Actinic, DIY moonlight, several corals (mostly softies but a few SPS and LPS as well), a bi-color blenny (Benny), a yellow Tang (Jet), 2 percula clowns (Frick & Frack), a blue spotted jawfish (Spot), a red-lipped blenny (Red), a dragon goby (Puff), a psychedelic mandarin (Mandy), a diamond sifter (Jewel), a green bta, a rose bta, a couple serpent stars, a coral banded shrimp and several crabs and snails who will remain anonymous...

12-12-2003, 02:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
HAP Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lewisville, TX...but my heart is in Chicago! Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here's the most recent after I installed the T5's on the forward side... __________________ Definition: Aquarium (n) A hole in your living room in which you throw money. [And I thought this would be cheaper than going to Aruba to dive - Yeah! Right!!] Oceanic 75g Reef Ready, DIY stand and canopy, 50g sump/refugium with 125lbs+ Fiji live rock, Turboflotor Multi Skimmer, 2 – 250w Metal Halides running Ushio 10k lamps, 110w Actinic, DIY moonlight, several corals (mostly softies but a few SPS and LPS as well), a bi-color blenny (Benny), a yellow Tang (Jet), 2 percula clowns (Frick & Frack), a blue spotted jawfish (Spot), a red-lipped blenny (Red), a dragon goby (Puff), a psychedelic mandarin (Mandy), a diamond sifter (Jewel), a green bta, a rose bta, a couple serpent stars, a coral banded shrimp and several crabs and snails who will remain anonymous...

12-12-2003, 02:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
HAP Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lewisville, TX...but my heart is in Chicago! Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	I used a 6 foot blue rope light from Lowes for my moonlight... __________________ Definition: Aquarium (n) A hole in your living room in which you throw money. [And I thought this would be cheaper than going to Aruba to dive - Yeah! Right!!] Oceanic 75g Reef Ready, DIY stand and canopy, 50g sump/refugium with 125lbs+ Fiji live rock, Turboflotor Multi Skimmer, 2 – 250w Metal Halides running Ushio 10k lamps, 110w Actinic, DIY moonlight, several corals (mostly softies but a few SPS and LPS as well), a bi-color blenny (Benny), a yellow Tang (Jet), 2 percula clowns (Frick & Frack), a blue spotted jawfish (Spot), a red-lipped blenny (Red), a dragon goby (Puff), a psychedelic mandarin (Mandy), a diamond sifter (Jewel), a green bta, a rose bta, a couple serpent stars, a coral banded shrimp and several crabs and snails who will remain anonymous...

12-12-2003, 04:15 PM	#15 (permalink)
mikej11 Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kauai, HI Posts: 82 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hey Hap - how well does the moonlight work for ya. Do you run it all night everynight? Thanks, Michael J __________________ PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in Kauai, Hawaii

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