dont even know where to begin on lighting..

[Conor1148]

hey all, i have every single bit of my 20 gallon resto/build together except for my fish and my lighting.

I want to do a canopy of some sort, just in cause i have a "jumper". the canopy making will not be a problem for me at all, its the lighting i dont understand.

where do i even begin to look for the lighting? i see all these numbers and ballasts things and im just flat out confused.

i see alot of plans really describing the canopies well, but still am lost on lighting.

can anyone lend some assistance? the tank's top is 24"X 12"

thanks!

 

[Conner]

Well, you could buy a power compact or regular fluorescent tube bulb setup to fit inside the hood (which should be available for not too expensive online or at your LFS).

Or, if you want to DIY it, just pick up 1-2 (or more, if you want) light bulb sockets, a 6 foot extension cord, and some twist tube flourescent bulbs from Home Depot/Lowes. You wire the extension cord to the bulb sockets (you may need some extra wiring for this), paint the inside of the canopy white (for reflection), attach the sockets to the canopy, screw in some bulbs, and plug it it.

If you're really feeling good, you can also wire in a light switch so you can turn it on manually, or you can plug it into a timer outlet, so that it turns on and off automatically.

 

[Conor1148]

So th socket has a regular plug in and I just need an extension cord?

 

[Conner]

No, the sockets will need to be hard wired to the extension cord. Although they may sell sockets with regular plugs already attached, I haven't looked.

 

[Conor1148]

So I should be able to just go to lowes or something like that and they'll know what I'm looking for?

 

[Conner]

Yah.

Look for something like this for the socket (they also sell them with hangers):
http://www.lowes.com/pd_34550-1811-FMP1_0_?productId=3122625&Ntt=light%20socket&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=light%20socket$y=0$x=0

As far as the extension cord, they should have several types that will have a 3-prong plug at one end, and the other end will be bare wires (so that you can connect to the sockets).

If you want to add in the light switch, wire the 3-prong cord to the light switch, then run some wires from the light switch to the socket.

They should be able to help you get what you need.

 

[Conor1148]

Yah.

Look for something like this for the socket (they also sell them with hangers):
http://www.lowes.com/pd_34550-1811-FMP1_0_?productId=3122625&Ntt=light%20socket&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=light%20socket$y=0$x=0

As far as the extension cord, they should have several types that will have a 3-prong plug at one end, and the other end will be bare wires (so that you can connect to the sockets).

If you want to add in the light switch, wire the 3-prong cord to the light switch, then run some wires from the light switch to the socket.

They should be able to help you get what you need.

sounds pretty simple! what type of bulb is best for this? and is this wiring someone who's pretty good at soldering can do? ive heard doing stuff like this should be only done by a professional..

 

[Conner]

There's no soldering involved. All you have to do is use wire nuts to connect the wires together, then use electrical tape around the wire nuts. That is all that's required. It's actually very easy to do.

Oh, and as far as bulbs go, any of the twist tube fluorescent bulbs will work. I find the best lighting (in my opinion) comes from the Daylight bulbs, which are 6500K.

 

[Conor1148]

oh ok! thanks man! ill stop by lowes tomorrow and see what i can do!

 

[Conor1148]

hate to bump this, but i forgot to ask.

if its a fully closed off canopy, will i need vents/fans? if so, how do i wire the fans? i have a couple old CPU fans around here somewhere..