Undercabinet fixtures

tuvok · 06-10-2006, 05:15 PM

One of the options I am considering t oget a bit more light for my tank on the cheap is to use two undercabinet light fixtures in a wooden box that I would place over a glass topped aquarium. I would paint the inside of the box gloss white. While I realize that this will perform with sub-optimal efficiency it would still be better than the single tube I have now (the one that came with the hood). The two fixtures will cost as much as an electronic ballast at HD but I would not have to do any wiring or buy endcaps or cords. Has anyone had any success with this method? Are there any safety concerns as the undercabinet lights were not designed to operate over an aquarium. Would the Perfecto dual lamp strip seen at this link be any good?

**Joetee** · 06-10-2006, 05:58 PM

I made a wooden box to set on top of my tank. The top of it opened up with a hinge and small chain to keep it from going to far and would hold it open. The light fixtures where secured to the bottom of the top. The problem I had was heat. This is easy to fix but the box was to big and looked wrong. And it was a pain doing maintenance etc.

**Hoppy** · 06-10-2006, 07:52 PM

Before I would use those undercounter lights I think I would look into using the spiral screw-in CF bulbs. It isn't hard to make a simple canopy - look at AH Supply website http://www.ahsupply.com/diy.htm for one example. Then attach cheap bulb sockets in the canopy and screw in the highest wattage spiral bulbs you can get. It won't be efficient, but it will supply a lot of light.

LS6 Tommy · 06-14-2006, 03:17 AM

I also recommend AH Supply. I have the AH Supply dual 96w 36" Compact Fluorescent kit. I had a single 96w 36" before, but have found I needed the dual to get to the 3w/gal rule of thumb. Their stuff is reall good and not as expensive as you would think.

Tommy

06-10-2006, 05:15 PM	#1
tuvok Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 23	Undercabinet fixtures One of the options I am considering t oget a bit more light for my tank on the cheap is to use two undercabinet light fixtures in a wooden box that I would place over a glass topped aquarium. I would paint the inside of the box gloss white. While I realize that this will perform with sub-optimal efficiency it would still be better than the single tube I have now (the one that came with the hood). The two fixtures will cost as much as an electronic ballast at HD but I would not have to do any wiring or buy endcaps or cords. Has anyone had any success with this method? Are there any safety concerns as the undercabinet lights were not designed to operate over an aquarium. Would the Perfecto dual lamp strip seen at this link be any good?

06-10-2006, 05:58 PM	#2
Joetee Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 928	I made a wooden box to set on top of my tank. The top of it opened up with a hinge and small chain to keep it from going to far and would hold it open. The light fixtures where secured to the bottom of the top. The problem I had was heat. This is easy to fix but the box was to big and looked wrong. And it was a pain doing maintenance etc. __________________ 10 gallon hospital tank. 29 & 50 gallon - High Tech C02 enriched. 50 gallon Pond - Natural. See my Blog for Tank Spec's http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=607 How to Move with Fish, Tank, & Plants, 2200 miles http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=661 +site:plantedtank.net ""

06-10-2006, 07:52 PM	#3
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (54/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,215	Before I would use those undercounter lights I think I would look into using the spiral screw-in CF bulbs. It isn't hard to make a simple canopy - look at AH Supply website http://www.ahsupply.com/diy.htm for one example. Then attach cheap bulb sockets in the canopy and screw in the highest wattage spiral bulbs you can get. It won't be efficient, but it will supply a lot of light. __________________ Hoppy

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06-14-2006, 03:17 AM	#4
LS6 Tommy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denville, NJ Posts: 1,450	I also recommend AH Supply. I have the AH Supply dual 96w 36" Compact Fluorescent kit. I had a single 96w 36" before, but have found I needed the dual to get to the 3w/gal rule of thumb. Their stuff is reall good and not as expensive as you would think. Tommy