Lunar/Night Lights: My DIY Adventure

[robflanker]

Goal:
A cheap and relatively effective night/lunar lights for my 10g.

Materials
12ft Blue Rope Lights from Walmart – approx $9 I believe
Gorilla Glue - $4 Lowes
Clamps x 4 - $10 Walmart (I didn’t have any appropriate sized ones so I had to buy some, so one maybe able to get away without this step)
Something to spread the glue – I used cotton swabs, free
Wax paper – so you don’t glue yourself or anything else unwanted to the hood
Total cost – less than $25
Total time – approximately 5 hours (mostly due to 1hr waits between gluings), but in reality maybe 30-45mins of true work.
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/116

Before
So here is a before view of the hood
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/117

Method
So I started out my plugging the rope light in for a couple of hours and letting it run for a few hours to see how hot it got. It didn’t get very hot and I felt it was ok for the tank in terms of potentially melting the glue, overheating the water, or melting the hood.
Next I took the rope lighting and just measured it out in the tank and kinda planned how I wanted to snake around my hood. Biggest thing to keep in mind is to have the excess line outside of the tank, and have a good plan for how to start and end it. Each hood/set up will be different so not much I can do here except show you how I planned the snaking out
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/118

I chose to use Gorilla Glue as it was recommended by someone on the site, and I’ve used it non-Aquarium settings with much success. I decided I would glue in shifts as I didn’t have enough clamps and wanted to ensure that the tension wasn’t pulling the rope lighting out of place. I glued the initial stretch by putting glue along the seam and then some on the inside of the hood. Then, I let it dry for an hour.
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/119

[robflanker]

Basically, it became a rinse and repeat. I found that the initial gluing did a great job holding it, and then once it had hardened, I could move the clamps and then glue where the clamps were if necessary. I found the glue really expanded upon drying and in several places I chose to scrap a bit up as one part was impacting my flap opening, and another part was a bit too close to the water-line for my liking.
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/100

I used all manner of objects to help hold down the rope in place until the glue hardened. Hammers, candleholders, anything you’ve got lying around. Also, I recommend putting wax paper between anything being glued and the thing putting weight down on it. That way you won’t glue your hammer to your hood. :hmm3grin2orange:
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/99

Ok now for a series of finished pictures. I am not going to lie, its not very aesthetically pleasing but its functional! And my fish aren’t looking up and commenting on my lack of gluing ability
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/102
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/103
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/105

Ok, time for the finished product look. It is ridiculously difficult to photo night lights – I even contacted the King and Queen of Photos (Brookfish and Celtic Fins respectively) for advice on photos. These are the best I could do with my amateur camera, and even more amateur skills. It isn’t very bright at all, which is great. Sitting on my sofa about 10-12ft away you can’t see anything in the tank. You can make out a slight blue hue to the tank but certainly nothing in the tank. It becomes clearer only when you are like a foot or two away from the tank. I felt this was pretty “realistic” as after all, its night lighting its not meant to be as clear as day.
Here are a couple of photos;
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/107
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/113
http://robflankerpictures.shutterfly.com/114

Well folks, that’s about it. I hope this helps anyone who is looking at a cheap DIY way of doing night lighting. So far so good, I hooked it up to a timer opposite that of my day lights. Any questions please ask them!

More pictures on the link in my sig – I just can’t get the pictures to work

[Northernguy]

I like the lights!
Fill your tank and get rid of the gap so the light only shines in the water.

[robflanker]

Thanks NG - yeah I should have done that before I took the pics. My brain wasnt working.

[Northernguy]

Try a water change!:hmm3grin2orange: :22:
Its a great write up!thumbs2:

[robflanker]

Lol if I mention a WC anytime soon I'll get a beating :hmm3grin2orange:

Thanks!

[LadyHatred]

This is great! Isn't it wonderful fish cant talk?! I know mine would have a thing or two to say to me!! :14:

Question though: You've got the light rope glued in there. What happens if it burns out? Can that glue be taken off easily? What about condensation (sp?) will that cause any problems, like, shorting out or w/e? And finally, can one use "out door" light rope in this application?

[robflanker]

Lady Hatred
1) If it burns out, i'll just cut it off. An exacto/stanley knife should take it off relatively easily. So i'm not worried about
2) Condensation hasnt been a problem so far. I don't see any issues in my tank and there has been no morphing of the glue.
3) The rope I used was outdoor rope lighting. Its encased in a thick plastic covering. I didnt use the daisy chain style-xmas lighting, im sorry if that wasnt clear

[matthew.shelly]

very neat effect! im def a fan of gorilla glue.

[Z Fish Man]

Looks very nice. I have been thinking about lunar lights for my 10g so I'll keep this in mind.

[robflanker]

thanks everyone.

Z Fish Man - it was very easy to do, and if you decide to do it and have any Qs; shoot me a PM or post in here

[-Lp]

Took the basic idea of using rope lights, got a 24' at Lowes for $14.99, I also bought two 5' x 3/4" plastic wire covers. Didn't plan on it, but the wire covers hold two runs of lights pretty snug, so there was no need for glue. I used both 5' covers, holding four runs, with a few inches at either end for the return loop. I used black duct tape to on the exposed ends for cover and a few pieces along the length for support. Fits my 150g. perfectly and provides just enough light at night.

I will post pictures tonight. Thanks robflanker! -Lp

[Wild Turkey]

Very cool! Looks greatthumbs2:

This method seems a little easier than using LEDS

[robflanker]

legendpilot - glad it worked out for you! It's an easy enough method to adapt to any tank. Its actually probably easier in the bigger tanks as more room to play with. Definitely post some pictures when you're done!

WT - thanks! yeah its def a lot easier than the LED. It's all in waterproof tough plastic so no real electrical problems, and glue adheres to very well. I am very happy with it

[Wild Turkey]

legendpilot - glad it worked out for you! It's an easy enough method to adapt to any tank. Its actually probably easier in the bigger tanks as more room to play with. Definitely post some pictures when you're done!

WT - thanks! yeah its def a lot easier than the LED. It's all in waterproof tough plastic so no real electrical problems, and glue adheres to very well. I am very happy with it

Personally, I think it looks excellent too. Looks like i know what method to use next timethumbs2:

[-Lp]

Here's the pics; long exposures don't reveal many fish, but you get the idea.


Normal light
http://img.geocaching.com/cache/92677819-9a4d-4e5d-ba79-6169cb1904da.jpg


Cool new moonlighting
http://img.geocaching.com/cache/c658da21-b64f-4d74-b925-c14e870c4c2b.jpg


Lighting
http://img.geocaching.com/cache/23640f7a-7618-404f-a4cf-a2c4722085ff.jpg



Lighting
http://img.geocaching.com/cache/2334d9bd-b440-43d6-b6d4-1d415b062ede.jpg

[fishman01]

that looks pretty cool

[robflanker]

fishman01 - yea it does

legend - your pics came out way better than mine. glad at least someone got a picture that does it justice!

[-Lp]

Thanks for the idea..

Manual settings using a tripod is the only way to get the lights in the shot, rep points given to RF.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Very nice! I was almost wondering if they make a submersible rope light you could rap around the inside frame of the tank. I suppose only a fiber optic wand or cable with light generator could do that. I need to check out the toy's and novelty department. Your DIY project has inspired me!

[-Lp]

You could do it with the lights used in this project, they're completely wrapped in thick plastic. The only thing is they do get quite warm so it may alter the temperature of the tank. -Lp

[Inspiire]

You have also inspired me to do something like this.

In my tank, there is no hood though. It has two wood squares that sit on top of the tank. There is wood trim that goes around the top of the tank that is about 4" high. So, between the water level and the top of the tank, there is 4". And about 1" from the water level, there are pieces of glass that are glued to the side to hold things. Its mainly to set lights across the aquarium.

I found some blue rope lights the other day while going through some things. I'm going to glue them underneath the glass pieces that run around the top of the tank. The lights will run all the way around the top of the tank.

I worried about the lighting being too dim because of the two wood squares. The wood squares get too much moisture on the bottom, and it causes the first several layers of wood to wrinkle. I'm going to rip all the wood off the bottom until the bottom is smooth. Then, I'm going to take mirror pieces, and glue them to the bottom of the square pieces. Just random pieces, glued in no particular pattern. Then, I'll fill the cracks with silicone to make sure no moisture comes in contact with the wood anymore...

In the end, the lights will give off a soft blue glow. The mirror on the bottom of the two wood pieces will make it refract in wild patterns in the tank. Kind of giving the impression of waves at the surface. Like when you look a pool at night, it has the wild patterns on the sides...

Anyone think it will work like planned?

[robflanker]

I worried about the lighting being too dim because of the two wood squares. The wood squares get too much moisture on the bottom, and it causes the first several layers of wood to wrinkle. I'm going to rip all the wood off the bottom until the bottom is smooth. Then, I'm going to take mirror pieces, and glue them to the bottom of the square pieces. Just random pieces, glued in no particular pattern. Then, I'll fill the cracks with silicone to make sure no moisture comes in contact with the wood anymore...

In the end, the lights will give off a soft blue glow. The mirror on the bottom of the two wood pieces will make it refract in wild patterns in the tank. Kind of giving the impression of waves at the surface. Like when you look a pool at night, it has the wild patterns on the sides...

Anyone think it will work like planned?
Several issues I see;
1) unless the tank is empty gluing them inside the tank is going to be an nightmare as you'll have to use a million clamps to hold it and gravity is working against you. Not to mention while the glue may be no toxic, I'd be wary of gluing over an open tank with fish in it
2) I dont think the mirror think will work.


You could do it with the lights used in this project, they're completely wrapped in thick plastic. The only thing is they do get quite warm so it may alter the temperature of the tank. -Lp
I've had no temperature regulation issues with mine. I plugged it and let lie for a day before i glued it to the tank to check for temp issues.

[Inspiire]

Hmmm, interesting.

I was wondering if the mirror trick was going to work. Even if it doesn't, I need something to cover the bottom of the squares. So, go or no go, it doesn't matter.

It looks like I'll be glueing the lights on top of the glass shevles anyways. After a quick review, the lights would be too close to the water...

Thanks for the help!

[TempestCustom]

im trying to figure out how to do this on my 55G. this is the type of hood i have, canyou guys help me out???http://www.petco.com/product/5667/Aqueon-Deluxe-Full-Fluorescent-Hoods.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_Hoods_Lighting

[robflanker]

Uh.....

Didn't i post a pretty comprehensive guide above?....

[TempestCustom]

no you did sorry, im just not sure if i should put it on top where the strip light is or underneth the hood. sorry if i offended you:sconfused:

[robflanker]

Not offended, just your first post was rather vague and lacking a pointed question.

I put mine in the strip light but thats how I did it

[TempestCustom]

yes sorry about that your right! im probably going to do it the way you did. sorry again !

[robflanker]

No problem - good luck!

[TempestCustom]

i am just going to lay them under my daytime lights until i make my own hood or set up a shop light on the tank. problem is i cant find them any where so i have to order them lol o well

[ippielb]

I love it. It looks very realistic. You did a great job of glueing actually. You didn't get it all over your hood, you only glued what you were wanting to glue, so great job. I really like the outcome.

[TempestCustom]

thanks!

ill let you know how it goes when i do it

[robflanker]

I love it. It looks very realistic. You did a great job of glueing actually. You didn't get it all over your hood, you only glued what you were wanting to glue, so great job. I really like the outcome.
If thats directed at me - thanks


i am just going to lay them under my daytime lights until i make my own hood or set up a shop light on the tank. problem is i cant find them any where so i have to order them lol o well
I got mine at Walmart as I mentioned - rope blue lights

[TempestCustom]

yes i checked walmart and they didnt have any, i also asked two employees there and they said they didnt stock those. its on the site but white ones not blue. i was excited to do it the ohter day lol ill order it.

[dnphillips08]

What did you do with the excess? Does the back of your aquarium glow? I am looking to make moonlights for my aquarium as well and my wife has me on a fish budget, so your idea is brilliant. This guide will help a lot, my hood looks just like yours so it should be pretty easy for me to implement. thumbs2:

[robflanker]

There wasn't a lot of excess but I did coil it down behind the tank; I had a black background on it so it didnt really affect anything

Thanks a lot for reading it and i hope it helps