Pics of DIY light fixtures/housings
 

I've got a ballast, bulbs, reflectors, end caps, everything. Now I just need to build the fixture. I do not want to go the hood route, but I need a housing for the bulbs (2). I could make it out of:

1. Wood: Totally customizable. Needs paint/finish. Good light spread. Heavy?
2. Vinyl Gutter: Super cheap, light, waterproof. Ballast would have to be hidden. Poor light spread for two bulbs. Looks?
3. Metal: ???

Please post pics of your DIY fixture or housing. Thanks!

Plywood from Home Depot spraypainted black. 2ft light from Home Depot as well.

http://i46.tinypic.com/zl6bp.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2iuw293.jpg

Buuuuut, I just realized you're not looking to go the hood route? Mine is relatively heavy.

I have been eyeballing this stuff at Menards. Form-a-Drain I think it would make a good project box for a light fixture. It is sold locally in 12' sections for $13

I've seen various projects where ppl use gutters to make a light fixture too.

Hi Aquaticus,

Here is a DIY thread for a compact fluorescent 'gutter light' I built with an AH Supply kit which included a MIRO 4 highly polished reflector.

AH Supply compact fluorescent kit mounting in vinyl gutter
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...37868338nu0mrj

My next project will be to put together the same system with the new AH Supply LED Lamp arrays. Here is the DIY thread showing the LED Lamp array retrofitted into an old All-Glass strip light housing.

AH Supply LED Lamp array mounted in old All-Glass fixture housing
http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...B3398338nu0mrj

I seriously considered making a housing out of gutter, but with an 18" wide tank, I was concerned about light spread. I'll definitely consider it for a 12" wide tank! I've got a 30 and a 38 waiting in the wings to setup.

Well, I picked up some #2 pine boards last night from Menards (local home center). Going to put something together tonight with some pocket screws. Dug out some old Icecap 440s from the attic. I hope they still work. :)

Anybody have a system for raising one spiral 10W CFL in a big dome reflector??