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62 Posts
Hi all,
I'm taking on my first real DIY project. I'm making a simple light fixture for a 20 gallon long tank with a versatop. Low maintenance plants, no CO2. My plan is to just install a pre-made T8 under cabinet light strip inside a section of vinyl rain gutter.
My questions:
1 - Should I install two slim light strips, or would one be enough? I don't want to overkill with light. I would be using 24 inch daylight T8 bulb(s).
2 - Should I install a cooling fan in the light fixture? I plan on drilling holes for ventilation, but I don't know if it would get too hot.
3 - If cooling fans are a good idea, I'd be using a pair of computer cooling fans. I would like to hardwire the fans to the light fixture so I don't have to worry about plugging in one more thing, so: if I get a T8 fixture and a separate plug, can I simply connect the wires from the cooling fans into the wire from the fixture and connect that to the plug? I have limited electrical experience, and I don't want to short anything out, etc. Of course I will be sealing everything very well with electrical tape and taking precautions that the connections are waterproof.
Any advice? Thanks!
I'm taking on my first real DIY project. I'm making a simple light fixture for a 20 gallon long tank with a versatop. Low maintenance plants, no CO2. My plan is to just install a pre-made T8 under cabinet light strip inside a section of vinyl rain gutter.
My questions:
1 - Should I install two slim light strips, or would one be enough? I don't want to overkill with light. I would be using 24 inch daylight T8 bulb(s).
2 - Should I install a cooling fan in the light fixture? I plan on drilling holes for ventilation, but I don't know if it would get too hot.
3 - If cooling fans are a good idea, I'd be using a pair of computer cooling fans. I would like to hardwire the fans to the light fixture so I don't have to worry about plugging in one more thing, so: if I get a T8 fixture and a separate plug, can I simply connect the wires from the cooling fans into the wire from the fixture and connect that to the plug? I have limited electrical experience, and I don't want to short anything out, etc. Of course I will be sealing everything very well with electrical tape and taking precautions that the connections are waterproof.
Any advice? Thanks!