lighting q and a

[groan]

I purchased my 30gal tank second hand (came with the house) and i recently decided to redo the lighiting on the cheap (if possible). It came with a 1 bulb flourescent hood. I find buying a new hood for $200 a little on the rediculous side for what appears ot be a standard flourescent light.

I read somewhere on these boards about someone using the clamp-on lights with the screw in bulbs.

I purchased 2 clamp on lights and a couple of daylight 23W bulbs (90w incandescent equivalent) and ocf course i have a few problems.

replacing the hood that was on it leaves me without any cover, so I bought some plexiglass and cut it in half so it overlaps in the center. I have the lights clamped at either end on the plexiglass ends that stick out a couple inches at either end (it's a long tank).

The other problem I have is that the bulbs brightness must be hard on the fish as since the replacement, the fish all hide near the bottom or under my rocks! I'm concerned that it is causing them stress. The inside of the tank dosn't actually seem very bright, but it must be the concentrated source through the plexiglass that is causing them to shy away.

Anyways, I'll be bringing back these back this weekend to buy a 2-bank shop light. My question is how best to place this on the aquarium? I may be able to suspend the light above the tank by use of chains, but I would rather have it be on the tank.

Any thoughts, other options?

[darkdep]

If you're handy, another option is to revamp your existing fluorescent light to support dual bulbs or better.

I've done this on several light fixtures where I wanted to keep the original look.  Attached are a before and (mostly) after pic of one I did recently.  Before, this fixture was a single 36" T12 fixture, and I modded it to support 2 36" T8 bulbs, more than doubling the light output.  Not a very complicated project.

You can also look to use more powerful lighting options using this method, such as Power Compacts.

If you're interested, I'll be doing a writeup on this shortly.

[groan]

That would be perfect! I am working with a 36 inch setup.
I guess all i need to do is buy a shop light and tear it apart and retrofit it all into the existing hood.

hte key words here are 'all i need to do'. I am not much of an electrician, so hopefully this is an easy exercise.

[darkdep]

It's not too difficult actually.  You can buy a shop light and gut it but I prefer to buy the endcaps, ballast, and bulbs seperately.  Everything for this project can be purchased at Home Depot.

I'll let you know when I get the writeup done.

[groan]

Thanks DD i look forward to reading it! I'm dying to get this done so i can try some low light plants.

[Dom]

Walmart is good for hanging double 40 watt bulb ballasts (meaning it supports 80 watts of light using two 40 watt bulbs ...bought mine for $12.99 + taxes.  Although I'm not sure if they only offer it in 48" length.  

I'll be looking out for your article Darkdep  This hobby is expensive enought not to buy without learning how you can DIY cheaper and better

Cheers,

[BigDaddy]

So much easier to go with a single compact fluorescent light than multiple T8s.  A little more costly... but definately less space consuming...

[darkdep]

Yes; either way works.  The procedure is similar.

[groan]

i suppose i could just bring the hood with me to home depot and tell them what i want to do and have someone there demonstrate to me.
I have to go there today to return the clip on lamps. We'll see what i can do today.

when you say compact flourescent, do you mean this style?
http://www.personal.psu.edu/sbj4/aquarium/articles/DIYPCLights_files/photo1_files/f21.jpg

[darkdep]

The people at home depot will think you're nuts.  I guarantee it.  

And yes, those are the compact fluorescents he's talking about.

[groan]

lol, well we'll see...hehe
maybe i'll jsut take some measurements of the inside of the hood and go look for the parts with some help from thier resident electrician.
if it looks like i can't do it i'll eagerly await your guide.
I figured since i'll be there (tomorrow now) i'd look up the parts.

[darkdep]

You will need Fluorescent Endcaps, a Ballast, and the bulbs.