diy compact fixture

born2lovefish · 09-02-2007, 05:55 AM

48 inch fixture made with 3/4 oak. 4 65 watt 6500k bulbs mounted inside with 2 cooling fans on the back pulling air out. I been running just the back 2 lights on my 75 gallon for about a month now. Comments or improvement ideas are welcomed!

**epicfish** · 09-02-2007, 06:44 AM

More fans!

Stagger the 6700K with the 10000K if you want a crisper blue light. Personally, those look a tad bit yellow.

Rex Grigg · 09-02-2007, 03:36 PM

Get some reflectors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

born2lovefish · 09-03-2007, 04:14 PM

I am only running 2 of the bulbs, and the algae is already taking off! I need some more plants not reflectors!!!

PhotoJon01 · 09-03-2007, 05:08 PM

Where did you get your supplies? What was your final cost?

Wasserpest · 09-03-2007, 08:24 PM

They are a bit close together for my taste. A 75 is like 16 or 18" deep, right? I'd spaced them out a little more.

born2lovefish · 09-04-2007, 01:05 AM

I would of made the fixture bigger, but I had to have room for my glass tops to open. I also did not want a ton of light on the front of the tank. I bought the bulbs from a guy that had used them for a couple months for $30. I bought 4 used ballasts from another guy for $30. The oak wood I think was $30. I had $8 in the two fans and about 5 in wiring/mounting supplies. The white paint was left over from a canopy I built. I also had $15 in gas driving a hour up north to use my uncle's wood shop. He helped me build the fixture, which I am very thankful for. Whole thing costed about $120 to make, which is not bad for a student's budget!

09-02-2007, 03:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,595	Get some reflectors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ The Original Custom CO2 Regulator Dry Ferts Link to my Guide Purveyor of the Brutal Truth In Heaven We Were Formed... In Hell We Were Trained... On Earth We Were Released... United States Marine Corps!

09-03-2007, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wasserpest Born to be mild (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 9,354	They are a bit close together for my taste. A 75 is like 16 or 18" deep, right? I'd spaced them out a little more. __________________ All my tanks Cheap Autodosing Cheap Water Change Cheap Filter Acrylic Filter Pipes The Wasser-Controller

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09-02-2007, 06:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
epicfish Planted Tank n00b (View User Tanks) PTrader: (91) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 7,378	More fans! Stagger the 6700K with the 10000K if you want a crisper blue light. Personally, those look a tad bit yellow.

09-03-2007, 04:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
born2lovefish Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 416	I am only running 2 of the bulbs, and the algae is already taking off! I need some more plants not reflectors!!!

09-03-2007, 05:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
PhotoJon01 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 83	Where did you get your supplies? What was your final cost?

09-04-2007, 01:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
born2lovefish Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 416	I would of made the fixture bigger, but I had to have room for my glass tops to open. I also did not want a ton of light on the front of the tank. I bought the bulbs from a guy that had used them for a couple months for $30. I bought 4 used ballasts from another guy for $30. The oak wood I think was $30. I had $8 in the two fans and about 5 in wiring/mounting supplies. The white paint was left over from a canopy I built. I also had $15 in gas driving a hour up north to use my uncle's wood shop. He helped me build the fixture, which I am very thankful for. Whole thing costed about $120 to make, which is not bad for a student's budget!

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