my lights are ghetto

[pwj1286]

My tank's lighting system is ghetto. I been looking at so many other tank's lights and I feel sorry for it.

I got alot of light, 440 watts of VHO and 175 watt MH on my 55.

I just dont have the money or space under my hood for nice reflectors.

For example,

I painted my hood inside white, so I can reflect light back into my tank, because I have no room for reflectors or money...good idea, but ghetto.

Another example,

I bought a refurbished megnetic metal halide industrial white ballast that you see hanging from the roof in industrial place...cheap but so ghetto.

Another example,

My metal halide bulbs are from eBay. They are the "Plus" brand of metal halide and were 2 for $40...oh sooooo ghetto.
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Mercedes C11

 

[Anonymous]

It's the results that matter. How's everything doing?

 

[fyrefysh]

I think it's cool to improvise. DIY will always save you money.

 

[pwj1286]

Stuff is growing fine, but I am throwing a lot light away.

My 120 will be done right, I am going to work on it for a couple of months until it's perfect.

I am thinking about sheet metal'ing' the whole hood.
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Marijuana Rehab Forum

 

[fyrefysh]

Be sure to use stainless steel or aluminum if available.

 

[FragMaster]

The best DIY reflector you can (IMHO) use is chrome plated diamond plate. The thin stuff, you can even get it with an adheasive backing.
The only reason I mentioned the adheasive backing is because it is so thin, obviously the adheasive wont stick with the heat.
It simulates the best of both worlds. a hammer tone reflector, and a highly polished metal reflector that you would find in highend DIY kits, and hoods. It's not cheap but the results in light dispersion would be amazing.

 

[pwj1286]

It's not cheap but the results in light dispersion would be amazing.

How much per foot? I am interested.

My halides and VHO's will be on German highly reflective reflectors, if I can find some that will support my VHO+MH. I just want one big reflector instead this one for this one. Ya know?

My hood will still be plated because of any lost light will not be absorbed by my hood. To me it would be a waste for my hood to get light. I rather it being shot in any other direction than my hood.

With all the reflectors and what not...will it increase heat in my tank? I think it would since your reflecting the energy of the light bulb.

Right now I have no chiller, and I use a heater in the day time, thanks to, a CoralVue 120mm fan, my tank being close to two windows and a airconditioning vint.
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Ferrari Testarossa

 

[FragMaster]

It varies. You can find it at Home depot or Lowes.

 

[trido]

I thought I'd post some pics of a real ghetto set up. My DIY cardboard canopy,The DIY refugium turned show tank,and The Thomas train step stool...
I am just happy to ahave a tank up and running :lol:

 

[trido]

double post

 

[pwj1286]

I dont know if it is me...I can't see your picture post.
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24 Forum

 

[jdeets]

Me either...

 

[trido]

Better?

 

[pwj1286]

Very much! Thank you.

I see, I guess there is always room for DIY. No need to get a Corallife light hood or anything when you can do it for half or even fourth of the costs.
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Home insurance Forum

 

[trido]

Not even a quarter of the cost. :lol: Just use the box your lights came in Seriously though....My wife started freaking out about the whole corner of the room being purple when she came home from work. Something had to be done quickly. I will make a two and a half sided faux canopy out of oak later this week. Good luck on your 120. I hope you finish before me for you own sake.

 

[FragMaster]

Duane you are my hero!!! Will you finish my stand for me?
LOL!!!! Just kiding. We make do with what we have. It dosent have to look good on the outside as long as everything looks good on the inside :wink:

 

[trido]

Thanks..I agree. I am a finish carpenter and am very an-l about detail. This is my temporary ghetto setup (four more months ) and dont want to get too permanent. For some reason i am real quick to look past all of the extras with a fish tank and simply care only about what it looks like on the inside. Of course I AM kind of a fish freak. How many people do you know who have a fish tank on the back of their leg? :lol:

 

[pwj1286]

You know someone has a tank if their house glows blue. lol. People tell me, "man your house is BLUE in the evening and then no longer at 7 pm! "
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china economy

 

[jdeets]

I like the little truck--is that hiding the ballast??? :wink:

 

[trido]

NO, not hiding the ballast. All of my step stools and benches are on the job site so I used it out of convenience to get high enough to aquascape. My son doesnt use it and Im sure the wife paid well for it. Someone ought to use it. Last night i put the 96w quad back over it. Just wedged it in behind the tank, set on the skimmer at a 45 degree angle with a seven inch fan atop that. NOW ITS REALLY GHETTO!! :lol: