Lighting Mounting For Open Top Ideas

I have been gifted a Juwel Rekord 80. Crapo filter is removed and about 2 metric tonne of aquarium silicone that was used by previous owner to stick the background is gone Tetratec EX600 (thanks MermaidMel ) ready to go.

Now then on to lights. Tank will be planted + pressure CO2 + few little fishes TBA, DIY MDF cabinet. I really like the looks of open top so have despatched the hood (it was broke anyways).

Lighting is expensive for the lovely open top luminaires that I really like so I have been looking at Interpet T5 Power Compacts (the double beefy ones), 2 questions if I may:

1. Is there any off the shelf reflectors available for this range of lights? I've had a look and can't see em? If not what have you used?

2. Has anyone any cunning ideas on how to mount these reliably and aesthetically? The connection (just a plug) doesnt seem to have any fixing points (that I could gather from a quick snoop in the box at LFS anyway )

I'm good with DIY type things and have some power tools so not adverse to a bit of home brew. Have some leave coming very soon so also have the time which is a rare occurence...

Any ideas please?

you can only get the interpet compacts second hand as they have stopped making them. what kind of tank is it? reef? planted?

truckasauras123 said:

you can only get the interpet compacts second hand as they have stopped making them. what kind of tank is it? reef? planted?

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Really? They still have them in their product catalogue which I d/l today. LFS has starter units and bulbs for single and doubles on the shelf - not surprising as they bought for selling - do you think I should snaffle them from LFS or look for alternatives - if so what?

Edit: sorry tank will be planted as above

BenPursglove said:

truckasauras123 said:

you can only get the interpet compacts second hand as they have stopped making them. what kind of tank is it? reef? planted?

Click to expand...

Really? They still have them in their product catalogue which I d/l today. LFS has starter units and bulbs for single and doubles on the shelf - not surprising as they bought for selling - do you think I should snaffle them from LFS or look for alternatives - if so what?

Edit: sorry tank will be planted as above

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get them whilst you can!

Thanks for the input Jack but now I heard they are discontinued I have doubts for bulb replacement, are ther compatibles?

Edit: More net searches reveal that the units are not sealed for use around water, eeep! My search for cheaper lighting is dimming...

Come on peeps any ideas or should I really really lay down a big one for the £££ luminaire?

BenPursglove said:

Thanks for the input Jack but now I heard they are discontinued I have doubts for bulb replacement, are ther compatibles?

Click to expand...

theyre going to carry on making bulbs, its just the starter thats going due to some new EU rule

truckasauras123 said:

BenPursglove said:

Thanks for the input Jack but now I heard they are discontinued I have doubts for bulb replacement, are ther compatibles?

Click to expand...

theyre going to carry on making bulbs, its just the starter thats going due to some new EU rule

Click to expand...

Reet then 2 x 36 watt twin starters it is - not too bothered about the waterproof issue as this is open top and you have to be a proper tool to drop any part of this unit into the tank and THEN go try to get it out while switched on assuming the house board didnt trip sama: EU regs sheesh

Still not sold on how I will mount these, more input needed if you got it?

you will need a hood. a piece of pre cut acrylic would work well hanging then you fix them to the arcylic with T8 reflectors

OK, so does anyone have a double interpet T5 compact starter unit and can post pics of the bit that plugs into the bulb (both sides) and/or dims of them - am going to mount that bit onto over tank "thing TBA" to suspend it

I'm going to CAD up some ideas and post up here...

Ta

Here are some quick mock ups with requirement list so far:




2 x Interpet 36w t5 compact starters
2 x Interpet bulbs to match
random sheet steel curved to match tank dims (probably B&Q) + Dremel/drill action (woot)
lots of rivets (probably)
some way to stand assembly off the tank - undeceded

Probably cheaper to buy the mega bucks luminaire but I do like a bit of DIYage. Do you think the gap in the middle between the compacts will be OK in terms of coverage?

forum being funny, here is front on:

theyre going to carry on making bulbs, its just the starter thats going due to some new EU rule

Click to expand...

Yep, and even for after that, it's a standard type of bulb, can get them off the net or in lighbulb shops .

Cheaper from these places too.

Oh, and with regards to the gap...not really,will look a bit naff with the centre of the tank darker.

The problem with these bulbs is that because they are effectively just a standard T5 tube bent around, they don't give as much coverage as you would get with regular T5's.

They are great for trying to cram a lot of light into an awkward space (I have one in my corner tank)...but otherwise I would just recommend normal linear T5's.

Personally I'd buy a second hand Arcadia Over Tank Luminaries of eBay (or check to see if you lfs has any left). The old ones look nice IMO, but more importantly are significantly cheaper if you can find them.

If you like DIY, I would go for LED's. You could modify a luminaire to hold them too for better aesthetics.

three-fingers said:

theyre going to carry on making bulbs, its just the starter thats going due to some new EU rule

Click to expand...

Yep, and even for after that, it's a standard type of bulb, can get them off the net or in lighbulb shops .

Cheaper from these places too.

Oh, and with regards to the gap...not really,will look a bit naff with the centre of the tank darker.

The problem with these bulbs is that because they are effectively just a standard T5 tube bent around, they don't give as much coverage as you would get with regular T5's.

They are great for trying to cram a lot of light into an awkward space (I have one in my corner tank)...but otherwise I would just recommend normal linear T5's.

Personally I'd buy a second hand Arcadia Over Tank Luminaries of eBay (or check to see if you lfs has any left). The old ones look nice IMO, but more importantly are significantly cheaper if you can find them.

If you like DIY, I would go for LED's. You could modify a luminaire to hold them too for better aesthetics.

Click to expand...

Ben, for a more traditional dyi plan go to http/www.ahsupply.com/diy.htm. It is an American company but this page explains the design and how to dyi.

Good luck, Ranjohns