My inexpensive CFL light solution

**herns** · 10-31-2011, 07:19 PM

Hi Matt,

Finally, you got this thread started.
Great job!

-Herns

tuffgong · 10-31-2011, 07:20 PM

I have these clip on light setup on the majority of my tanks. Very cheap but strong light. I usually just clip the lights on to the back rim of the tank with some of the clip below the water surface.

jmrmotorhead · 10-31-2011, 07:23 PM

Cool to hear other people have been using this with success. I removed the clamps since they wouldn't hold the light at the right angle for me. For now they sit on my versa tops until I get the Ada style light bar up above this tank. Than I'll suspend them from that and maybe go topless

**herns** · 10-31-2011, 07:42 PM

I was thinking of buying another fixture in my small tank to supplement an existing one for a highlight setup. Until I found this on your SnS thread.

I just save $30!

galabar · 10-31-2011, 07:53 PM

Here are a few options.

This looks very interesting, but I'm not sure where to buy it:

http://www.global-b2b-network.com/b2...lamp_lamp.html

This is probably a bit overpriced, but might be good:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=6186

This looks great, but I don't think it will handle the heavier Home Depot PAR38 bulbs:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...owtopic=271939

Wasserpest · 10-31-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmrmotorhead

Regarding the controller- check out my thread about using a different irrigation controller that allows up to 8 zones active at a time, network scheduling, ect. Really awesome find
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...ontroller.html
Matt

You are right, I saw that thread, but didn't make the connection.

Going to post some comments there.

jmrmotorhead · 10-31-2011, 09:33 PM

Some interesting links- a bit more visually appealing than the domes I use, but I think I kind of like it

Wasserpest- sounds good, looking forward to some input!

jmrmotorhead · 11-02-2011, 02:55 PM

I just added a fourth shop light above my 30 gallon tank- looks much better, less of a spot light effect. I still for some reason don't mind the look of the domes on top, kind of an industrial look. I still cant wait to get a bar to hang these on though as it's a pain to take them all off the cover when I want to open it up... Anyone else want to post some pictures of this set-up? I'd love to see what other ideas are floating around here.

Matt

wGEric · 11-03-2011, 03:59 AM

Here is my version of it for my 29G. Most of the wood/hardware I already had so it has been very inexpensive. It is setup for 3 lights but I only have two in it now. I have wired the two lights into one plug that will go into a timer.

I drilled holes into a piece of plywood. I had to chisel the plywood to make it thinner so that the shades could fit. The plywood fills the space that the clamp usually attaches to the light. Each light has a little ridge that won't fit through the hole so that is how they won't fall through.

Attached to the plywood is 3" wide pine boards to make it look nicer. I would suggest going with at least 4" boards since you can see the wire sticking out the top of the light.

I then used chain that I bought at Home Depot to hang it from the ceiling. I have some S-hooks in the middle so that it is easy to raise and lower the lights.

jmrmotorhead · 11-14-2011, 08:27 PM

Never noticed your reply- Looks like a good simple way to hang them!
I have had great success with the addition of a fourth 19w 5000K cfl over my 30g

Matt

sergio sinay · 11-15-2011, 03:11 AM

I would like to see a post like this about fertilization : )im buying these lights tomorrow : )

m00se · 11-15-2011, 04:12 AM

Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamps

http://preview.tinyurl.com/7p3tsoc

KenRC51 · 11-15-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m00se

Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamps

http://preview.tinyurl.com/7p3tsoc

Looks really nice.

What did you use to hang the light fixture? What type of bulbs are you using?

jrman83 · 11-15-2011, 10:59 PM

Good looking tanks.

jmrmotorhead · 11-16-2011, 01:57 AM

Moose- every time I see that tank I drool... I really like the matching black domes and the trim...
Here's some recent shots of mine:

Looking back, I wish I had taken the clamp off the far left light before taking pictures! I screw it back on when I am doing work in the tank, that way I can hook it on to the end and see what I'm doing.

And a nice shot before the big trim, showing the domes:

10-31-2011, 07:19 PM	#16
herns Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (160/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,456	Hi Matt, Finally, you got this thread started. Great job! -Herns __________________ *#23* *VTS-253A-320, VTS 253A-1993* Eheim # 371 Ecco 2232 Classic 2213 "No CO2/poor CO2 & high light/ ferts = great way to grow algae" - Tom Barr**

10-31-2011, 07:20 PM	#17
tuffgong Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (40/100%) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: DC/MD/VA Posts: 1,452	I have these clip on light setup on the majority of my tanks. Very cheap but strong light. I usually just clip the lights on to the back rim of the tank with some of the clip below the water surface. __________________ Dollar Store Dirt Tank - 20g - Albino Sterbai Cory Fry Tank Fraternity of Dirt #30 - SunSun Pimp Club #20 - Eheim Pimp Club #412

10-31-2011, 07:23 PM	#18
jmrmotorhead Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (34/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nh Posts: 537	Cool to hear other people have been using this with success. I removed the clamps since they wouldn't hold the light at the right angle for me. For now they sit on my versa tops until I get the Ada style light bar up above this tank. Than I'll suspend them from that and maybe go topless __________________ 30 Gallon High-Tech- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrmoto...7627615942896/

10-31-2011, 07:42 PM	#19
herns Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (160/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,456	I was thinking of buying another fixture in my small tank to supplement an existing one for a highlight setup. Until I found this on your SnS thread. I just save $30! __________________ *#23* *VTS-253A-320, VTS 253A-1993* Eheim # 371 Ecco 2232 Classic 2213 "No CO2/poor CO2 & high light/ ferts = great way to grow algae" - Tom Barr**

10-31-2011, 07:53 PM	#20
galabar Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 856	Here are a few options. This looks very interesting, but I'm not sure where to buy it: http://www.global-b2b-network.com/b2...lamp_lamp.html This is probably a bit overpriced, but might be good: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=6186 This looks great, but I don't think it will handle the heavier Home Depot PAR38 bulbs: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...owtopic=271939 __________________ My 40 gallon breeder (and 20 gallon long): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ta07C0y0nk My 10 gallon with PAR30 LED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rbms5asKmA

10-31-2011, 09:33 PM	#22
jmrmotorhead Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (34/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nh Posts: 537	Some interesting links- a bit more visually appealing than the domes I use, but I think I kind of like it Wasserpest- sounds good, looking forward to some input! __________________ 30 Gallon High-Tech- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrmoto...7627615942896/

11-02-2011, 02:55 PM	#23
jmrmotorhead Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (34/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nh Posts: 537	I just added a fourth shop light above my 30 gallon tank- looks much better, less of a spot light effect. I still for some reason don't mind the look of the domes on top, kind of an industrial look. I still cant wait to get a bar to hang these on though as it's a pain to take them all off the cover when I want to open it up... Anyone else want to post some pictures of this set-up? I'd love to see what other ideas are floating around here. Matt __________________ 30 Gallon High-Tech- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrmoto...7627615942896/

11-03-2011, 03:59 AM	#24
wGEric Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 13	Here is my version of it for my 29G. Most of the wood/hardware I already had so it has been very inexpensive. It is setup for 3 lights but I only have two in it now. I have wired the two lights into one plug that will go into a timer. I drilled holes into a piece of plywood. I had to chisel the plywood to make it thinner so that the shades could fit. The plywood fills the space that the clamp usually attaches to the light. Each light has a little ridge that won't fit through the hole so that is how they won't fall through. Attached to the plywood is 3" wide pine boards to make it look nicer. I would suggest going with at least 4" boards since you can see the wire sticking out the top of the light. I then used chain that I bought at Home Depot to hang it from the ceiling. I have some S-hooks in the middle so that it is easy to raise and lower the lights.

11-14-2011, 08:27 PM	#25
jmrmotorhead Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (34/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nh Posts: 537	Never noticed your reply- Looks like a good simple way to hang them! I have had great success with the addition of a fourth 19w 5000K cfl over my 30g Matt __________________ 30 Gallon High-Tech- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrmoto...7627615942896/ Last edited by jmrmotorhead; 11-16-2011 at 01:54 AM..

11-15-2011, 03:11 AM	#26
sergio sinay Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Guatemala Posts: 89	I would like to see a post like this about fertilization : )im buying these lights tomorrow : )

11-15-2011, 04:12 AM	#27
m00se Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,282	Zoo Med Deep Dome Lamps http://preview.tinyurl.com/7p3tsoc

11-15-2011, 10:59 PM	#29
jrman83 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: White Plains, MD Posts: 291	Good looking tanks. __________________ Eheim Pimp #448

11-16-2011, 01:57 AM	#30
jmrmotorhead Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (34/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nh Posts: 537	Moose- every time I see that tank I drool... I really like the matching black domes and the trim... Here's some recent shots of mine: Looking back, I wish I had taken the clamp off the far left light before taking pictures! I screw it back on when I am doing work in the tank, that way I can hook it on to the end and see what I'm doing. And a nice shot before the big trim, showing the domes: __________________ 30 Gallon High-Tech- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrmoto...7627615942896/

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