Here's my guide to modding the lighting system of the Fluval Edge to give much improved fluorescent lighting. Hope it's of some help!
So, here's everything laid out on the table, ready for me to start
I ordered some ceramic E27 fittings normally used in a vivarium, two Interpet 15w bulbs (used in the interpet fish pods), an inline switch, and a 15w juwel reflector (used for normal T5/T8 lighting).
I also used some epoxy putty as a fixing agent which means horrid, messy fingers - hence the lack of photos during construction - sorry!
The first thing I did was wire the inline switch (not very exciting)
next, I measured the reflector 7.10" from each end and cut it out - very easy just using kitchen scissors!
I used epoxy putty to fix the reflector together in, back to back and then sealed with a glue gun to prevent any fume leakage (the amount I used, there shouldn't be much, especially after it's set.
I wired the E27 sockets up in series, using connector blocks and then stuck the socket to the reflectors, top and tail using epoxy and again sealed everything in with hot glue.
The moment of truth - I popped the bulbs in, plugged it in and flicked the switch.
Next, I removed the lighting arm and fitted the new lights into the hood - fixed with a tot of glue, but not much!
LET THERE BE LIGHT!
After about a week, I had a bit of a problem with the CFLs - I came home from work and popped the lighting on but only one bulb came on.
I took the hood off to have a look and there was a lot of condensation on the bulbs and on the sockets which got me a bit worried. I dried it off with a hair dryer and switched it back on - we had smoke, horrible noises and a bang! The bulb had got wet in the starter and died.
So, what to do?!? I decided to make a splash screen. First I was going to make a cover for the light unit itself and so ordered two pieces of cur to size perspex from The Plastic People. It's free postage at the moment and they got it out to me next day. The sizes were 125mm x 197mm and 197mm x 83mm.
When it came to fixing the cover, i forgot about the neck on the edge which left the hood 2" higher than it should have been.
I then decided to make a cover for the maintenance hole instead, making a hinge using aquarium silicone. I had to place the larger piece over the hole and mark the lines of the neck. This was cut using a hacksaw and the edges and corners sanded with some aluminium oxide paper.
It works great - no condensation on the bulbs, no splashes from the filter and there's still access for feeding and maintenance (three weeks on)!
Here's what we now have:
Splash cover down
Splash cover open!
I know the pictures on their own aren't much use so i've been kind(ish) and tried to sketch some diagrams:
So, here's everything laid out on the table, ready for me to start
I ordered some ceramic E27 fittings normally used in a vivarium, two Interpet 15w bulbs (used in the interpet fish pods), an inline switch, and a 15w juwel reflector (used for normal T5/T8 lighting).
I also used some epoxy putty as a fixing agent which means horrid, messy fingers - hence the lack of photos during construction - sorry!
The first thing I did was wire the inline switch (not very exciting)
next, I measured the reflector 7.10" from each end and cut it out - very easy just using kitchen scissors!
I used epoxy putty to fix the reflector together in, back to back and then sealed with a glue gun to prevent any fume leakage (the amount I used, there shouldn't be much, especially after it's set.
I wired the E27 sockets up in series, using connector blocks and then stuck the socket to the reflectors, top and tail using epoxy and again sealed everything in with hot glue.
The moment of truth - I popped the bulbs in, plugged it in and flicked the switch.
Next, I removed the lighting arm and fitted the new lights into the hood - fixed with a tot of glue, but not much!
LET THERE BE LIGHT!
After about a week, I had a bit of a problem with the CFLs - I came home from work and popped the lighting on but only one bulb came on.
I took the hood off to have a look and there was a lot of condensation on the bulbs and on the sockets which got me a bit worried. I dried it off with a hair dryer and switched it back on - we had smoke, horrible noises and a bang! The bulb had got wet in the starter and died.
So, what to do?!? I decided to make a splash screen. First I was going to make a cover for the light unit itself and so ordered two pieces of cur to size perspex from The Plastic People. It's free postage at the moment and they got it out to me next day. The sizes were 125mm x 197mm and 197mm x 83mm.
When it came to fixing the cover, i forgot about the neck on the edge which left the hood 2" higher than it should have been.
I then decided to make a cover for the maintenance hole instead, making a hinge using aquarium silicone. I had to place the larger piece over the hole and mark the lines of the neck. This was cut using a hacksaw and the edges and corners sanded with some aluminium oxide paper.
It works great - no condensation on the bulbs, no splashes from the filter and there's still access for feeding and maintenance (three weeks on)!
Here's what we now have:
Splash cover down
Splash cover open!
I know the pictures on their own aren't much use so i've been kind(ish) and tried to sketch some diagrams:
