Pics of DIY light fixtures/housings

Aquaticus · 02-06-2013, 03:03 PM

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:

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

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

h0meless · 02-06-2013, 07:43 PM

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

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

discgo · 02-07-2013, 02:38 PM

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

Wicket_lfe · 02-07-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discgo

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.

Seattle_Aquarist · 02-07-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaticus

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:

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

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

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

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

Aquaticus · 02-07-2013, 04:03 PM

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.

Aquaticus · 02-08-2013, 02:46 PM

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.

Django · 02-11-2013, 12:46 PM

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

02-06-2013, 03:03 PM	#1
Aquaticus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Middleton, WI Posts: 74	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: Wood: Totally customizable. Needs paint/finish. Good light spread. Heavy? Vinyl Gutter: Super cheap, light, waterproof. Ballast would have to be hidden. Poor light spread for two bulbs. Looks? Metal: ??? Please post pics of your DIY fixture or housing. Thanks!

02-07-2013, 02:38 PM	#3
discgo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: out wandering around Posts: 77	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 __________________ The Tinker Tank Sessions "20 The Long Way"

02-11-2013, 12:46 PM	#8
Django Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 308	Anybody have a system for raising one spiral 10W CFL in a big dome reflector?? __________________ 10 planted gallons started on 4/18/12; 2x 13w CFL in "Brooder" dome reflectors; Substrate: BIG gravel; AquaClear 30 adjustable HOB; Current Algae: Cyanobacteria, Black Brush?

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02-06-2013, 07:43 PM	#2
h0meless Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 35	Plywood from Home Depot spraypainted black. 2ft light from Home Depot as well. Buuuuut, I just realized you're not looking to go the hood route? Mine is relatively heavy.

02-07-2013, 04:03 PM	#6
Aquaticus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Middleton, WI Posts: 74	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.

02-08-2013, 02:46 PM	#7
Aquaticus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Middleton, WI Posts: 74	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.