Diy Lighting...

[Fish are friends]

I am going to build my own hood for my 12 gal tank so i can upgrade the lighting and all i want to know is.. can i use the balast and wires from a kitchen light. They would be kept away from any water in a watertight compartment within the hood..thanks.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Sounds like a 'shocking' (

) combination.

 

[Fish are friends]

fair enough...im trying to upgrade my lighting a cheaply as possible as i want the tank to have more then just swords and the light levels are about 1.5 wpg

 

[mike455555]

you can grow quite alot in 1.5wpg, what look were you after?

 

[Fish are friends]

not quite sure yet but i like a structured but well planted tank... i bought some watersprite and vallisneria. the watersprite has started rotting so have to remove it. the vallisneria is growing ,i think, and the swords are well developed... at the moment i am trying to see what i can grow before i make a final decision on how the tank will look which then means i need to look at the lighting hence the diy lighting!

 

[mike455555]

i cant see a problem with doing your own lighting long if its in a water tight area in the hood. i suppose you could use any type of lighting in the end long if its protected from the water and wired in right

 

[Fish are friends]

wiring part isnt a problem and the compartment will be 100% water tight. the reason i ask is i have a mate who can get me t5 overhead office units which would be perfect for my tank as long as i seal it properly... ill use the water tight fittings from an old broken t5 aquarium light fitting.!

 

[mike455555]

as long as you seal it properly, thats the key, and you'd have to be able to get access to it to change the bulb

 

[bodge99]

Hello,

Yep, no problem doing this at all..

As long as..

You can guarantee that moisture is kept away from the ballast.

**Please** use the correct wire for the lamp sockets (solid conductor).

Ensure that you use tubes that are rated for your ballast.

Any questions... then just ask here.

Good luck!

Bodge99.

 

[nellynelly]

What about these on flea bay?

Item number is 271088545886

 

[chiplite]

 
I built an LED/RGB Canopy and light system for my cichlid tank.
Here's a a YOUTUBE video.

 
I made a 1 minute cross fade from moonlight to
daylight. Then to show just how subtle it was there is a 3 second "sunset.

I am about to build my big tank. 120 long. I will be making a canopy and the lights
will be in what I call a "trolley" It will sit inside the canopy,
able to push back an inch to feed, and sit front end up at an angle for full
access, and removable

 

[Ralphw62]

if the ballast matches the bulbs you'll be using your OK, just be very careful...I Know from experience. Those skinny little wires pack a big (deadly) punch.
I got stuck to a ladder and electrocuted changinging a ballast once. It was burning a hole in my hand.. I was able to raise one leg and push free;;;;landing 20 feet below in the street in front of a car