Azear
11-29-2007, 03:03 AM
Yeah, you've read the title right.... I was moving my 10g when I realised that both my lights fixtures were broken (inner part just felt down... ???). So, I had to do something... I had this old fluorescent light fixture that was suposed to be for the 50g hood but I had an emergency now... had to find a solution quick... the fluorescent light is a 24" so it would have fit perfectly in the tank and it's a 15w (which is much enough for a bit of java moss)... (Each links point to a picture).
sOOOooo.. here's the story... I taken the original hood all apart... getting to the bare minimum of the hood... plastic and an idea of what it should look like...
]Bare plastic hood ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Idea of how it should fit in ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
So I started to cut the holes on both sides so I could fit the fixture in it. I used a few handy tools that any DIY love... By that I mean Drill and kitchen knife (but don't tell my girlfriend... she'll be angry ^_^).
]Cutted the Holes ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Fitting the light in ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
After, I had to manage to get the fixture to hold correctly so I glued it with hot glue... I'd like to have used epoxy or silicone but didn't had any on the hand so managed with hot glue...
]Glued the fixture ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
Now, I had to make the transformer hold in place... so, why not using the 2 wings with holes that was originally holding the thing on the real light fixture ? :D yeah, I did that and I noticed that there was 2 vent holes that would be fitting perfectly for the purpose... I also had to cut some plastic inside the tank cauz it was in the way for the light.
]Transformer installed ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Had to cut some plastic to make the light fit in ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
So, once all this was done, the light was held in place correctly but no wiring has been done yet... so, Had to get everything together and Had to install a switch in case I'd need to be independant from the timer...
]Interior done ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Switch installed ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
Now that everything was wired and soldered... Had to do the test run... so, here's the finish product and here's the test run picture... I was actually pretty impressed by the strength of that light :D so, I had to try it on the RCS tank...
] Wiring done ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ] Test Run ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
]Installed on the RCS tank ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
So, here it is... hope you enjoyed !
Also, I'm planning to add a acrylic pannel under the light to make sure no moisture gets on the light :D but... later !
sOOOooo.. here's the story... I taken the original hood all apart... getting to the bare minimum of the hood... plastic and an idea of what it should look like...
]Bare plastic hood ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Idea of how it should fit in ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
So I started to cut the holes on both sides so I could fit the fixture in it. I used a few handy tools that any DIY love... By that I mean Drill and kitchen knife (but don't tell my girlfriend... she'll be angry ^_^).
]Cutted the Holes ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Fitting the light in ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
After, I had to manage to get the fixture to hold correctly so I glued it with hot glue... I'd like to have used epoxy or silicone but didn't had any on the hand so managed with hot glue...
]Glued the fixture ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
Now, I had to make the transformer hold in place... so, why not using the 2 wings with holes that was originally holding the thing on the real light fixture ? :D yeah, I did that and I noticed that there was 2 vent holes that would be fitting perfectly for the purpose... I also had to cut some plastic inside the tank cauz it was in the way for the light.
]Transformer installed ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Had to cut some plastic to make the light fit in ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
So, once all this was done, the light was held in place correctly but no wiring has been done yet... so, Had to get everything together and Had to install a switch in case I'd need to be independant from the timer...
]Interior done ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ]Switch installed ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
Now that everything was wired and soldered... Had to do the test run... so, here's the finish product and here's the test run picture... I was actually pretty impressed by the strength of that light :D so, I had to try it on the RCS tank...
] Wiring done ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.) ] Test Run ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
]Installed on the RCS tank ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
So, here it is... hope you enjoyed !
Also, I'm planning to add a acrylic pannel under the light to make sure no moisture gets on the light :D but... later !