DIY LIGHT HELP!!

[hegofloben]

where can i get the parts to make a good light so i dont have to spend 300$! i have a 75 gallon and have 2 48" flourecent bulbs already, im trying to get between 250-300 wpg

 

[WyldFya]

Is this just for appearance in FW, plants, FO saltwater or reef? I am also going to assume you mean 250-300 watts, not wpg. If you build a canopy, and wire together however many weather proof type A sockets, a couple computer fans, this will be the cheapest I have found. There are some twist fluorescent bulbs that are 6500K being sold at walmart now, that also are 42W each.

 

[RE TurboII]

Home depot sells a 48" work light for 22 bux. it accepts T8 bulbs and lights up nicely. im using this on my 180g and its very nice. make sure you have the smaller bulbs so that the bulb doesn't sit on the tank. the bulbs are only like 4 bux so if your bulbs dont work your only gonna spend 25 bux for the whole thing rather than 250 for a real light for your tank

 

[hegofloben]

i dont care how it looks its for my plants!. ill build a canopy around it later

 

[WyldFya]

Without a canopy you can't build the light system I am talking about, unless you want to suspend each light, and build individual reflectors for each bulb, which will cost $200, at least. The canopy isn't for looks, but rather a mount for the fixtures, reflectors, and fans.

 

[WyldFya]

Home depot sells a 48" work light for 22 bux. it accepts T8 bulbs and lights up nicely. im using this on my 180g and its very nice. make sure you have the smaller bulbs so that the bulb doesn't sit on the tank. the bulbs are only like 4 bux so if your bulbs dont work your only gonna spend 25 bux for the whole thing rather than 250 for a real light for your tank

Those are not very effective for lighting a planted tank, or saltwater tank, which is where wpg is generally used.