idea for some cheap lighing from hope D...

[wheatgerm]

so i went to home depot today to buy some t5 lighting for my tank and came across another idea.... if it works it will be a ton cheaper so read along if interested. i want to try to use light cans with the 13w power compact bulbs, i know these are more of a "spotlight" effect but i want to tank anodized aluminum and modify the cans so they will work like a less expensive and less power consuming medal halide. the cans are 7 bucks a piece and the bulbs are $22 for a 12 pack. very cheap right? heres some basic pictures of how i want to do it

these are the cans, you can put a variety of bulbs in them (should be easy to modify with more reflective medal and brighten up)

my idea here is to hang the light frame about a foot above the tank trying to get rid of the "spotlight" effect before it hits the water

 

[wheatgerm]

my questions about this idea is do you think i will be able to get enough light in this tank for some easy low light plants to do fine? i am planning on using 6 to 8 light cans for starts but it will be very easy to add more if i dont have enought light. and also will it be possible to change this light to distribute more light instead of a high concentrated light in one area. what will the power cost be to run these things? the power compact bulbs are only 13w and give out as much light as a 75w normal bulb

 

[cobra29svt]

I don't have any answers to your question, but wanted to show you what I'm gonna use.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Like $1.50/each, light-weight, & not very bulky. I'm gonnna mount 3 or 4 of 'em in the canopy of my 5ft tank. I have 2 of them in my 4ft tank now, & they work great & only use 13 watts each.

 

[kallmond]

I used a set of 6 xenon puck lights in the hood of my 55g. The set was $35 and came with a 3 way dimmer.

I think can lights would work, but they're big, and you're going to have to have a pretty tall canopy.

 

[The1and only]

I used aluminum flashing and riveted a rectangular frame and used a cheap socket from lowes by where they sell the extension cords. I put two over my 8 foot tank and am planning on making two more.

The next one I am building a wood frame to screw the aluminum to and polishing the inside of the flashing. I figure 4 13w bulbs will light up my 240 nicely.

I also have some low light plants growing under these lights.

 

[PostalPenguin]

My cheap lighting for my 55g tank was a 48" shop light from lowes for $13. All black so it blends nicely. I also went with a 10K and 50/50 bulb and it makes the colors on the fish really stand out.

 

[gomezladdams]

How big is the tank?Ive converted a bunch of fixtures to the t5 home depot lights and it works out really cheap!The fixtures are so tiny it makes them really easy to fit into existing hoods or build a small one.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325095&highlight=home+depot

 

[forgottenx]

why not do led? i got mine from ebay around 25$ each panel 12in x 12in

225 led grow light panel, i got them all white, my plants are flourishing

my plants are huge now but thats when i first put the lights on the tank. my tank is 7ft long so i got 6 panels.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[Racersk]

I went the shop light route...But I am using the 2700K aquarium light bulbs in one, and going with the cool white 3000K in the other. No plants really yet, but the combo of the 2 light fixture when set up with my 55gallon, there was way more than enough light for plants.

40watts per bulb x2 = 80watts
13watts per CF x8 = 104watts
LED panels are like 20watts for all of those...(just a guess, but they are diodes and not filaments or electrical arcs)

 

[wheatgerm]

the tank is 8feet long and 36 front to back. led is way cool but it looks confusing to set up. and there is no worry about not enough room above the tank. its going to be threw the wall so the back side doesn't matter if i have a nice looking canopy on it or not. i have about 3 feet from the top of the tank to the ceiling