ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

A

Anthony J.

New Member
ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Man asks me "how do you light your planted aquarium?"
I respond "MAILBOX!!!"
Man says "what are you talking about?"
I respond "SEE BELOW!!!"


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3× 23watt spiral cfl 6500K :)
 
A

Anthony J.

New Member
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Lol, thanks. I'm still trying to figure out how to suspend it above the tank so I can go open top. Yeah that's right, this top comes off ;)
 
M

MRTom

New Member
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

You could suspend it on 2x4s over the tank and fasten the whole thing with duct tape a la Red Green! Heck, the duct tape will even match the color!
 
DMD123

DMD123

Administrator
Staff member
Contributing Member Level III
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Very interesting..... :scratch:  What's it mean when the red flag is up? :joker: 
 
lloyd378

lloyd378

Administrator
Staff member
Contributing Member Level III
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Reduce, reuse, recycle.... Nice way to repurpose something..... Let's see the tank with this setup above it, please
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

I am a DIY guy myself. I would have never thought of this! Ha!

Nick_87 said:
Use legos, it what all the cool kids are doing!
Click to expand...
LOL!

Something this big I think I would consider suspending it from the ceiling.
 
pbmax

pbmax

Active Member
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Looks good! How well does the metallic paint work as a reflector?
 
A

Anthony J.

New Member
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Thanks all,
D, red flag removed and holes taped over and painted. (See picture 2)
Lloyd, as you wish http://www.wafishbox.com/t8258-my-planted-20-inspired-by-seattle_aquariast
fishNabowl, I spent about 2 hours in ace determined, it worked out.
I was thinking of constructing a bar over the top of the top of the aquarium, on legs, or maybe on the aquarium rim itself. Its not very heavy, but I used the mailbox because these bulbs get hot, and wanted pleanty of room in case I wanted to set it directly on the glass. I was thinking a combination of pvc fittings, cut to fit and held to wood with screws. Essentially, instead of pvc, I would use wood, but still use the T fittings for feet, and 90° elbows for the cross bar, or something.... I think. But I want to be able to hide the wireing, or at minimum, run it along the top bar and legs, as running it down the wall, would be ugly imo, said the guy with a mailbox on top of his aquarium ;)
 
A

Anthony J.

New Member
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Not as well as I was hoping, but better then it would have if it was left alone. I might consider that reflective tape if I did it again. Actually, it wouldn't be hard to slap it in the mailbox anytime. But, I will see how this works.
 
pbmax

pbmax

Active Member
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

What kind of reflective tape and where would one get it? I've been on the look-out for a good DIY reflective solution but I haven't come across anything that will work well.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

pbmax said:
What kind of reflective tape and where would one get it?  I've been on the look-out for a good DIY reflective solution but I haven't come across anything that will work well.
Click to expand...
You can find tape at hardware stores used on ducting that is so shinny it's mirror like. Reminds me of new shinny chrome. I used it on an old system with T8 lights attached to a wood hood. Worked awesome, would have to say it increased PAR lest by 20%.

I think it was this stuff....
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Duck-1-88-x-15-yd-All-Purpose-Duct-Tape-Chrome-6-Pack-888789/203032204

What was neat about this stiff is I could bend it like aluminum foil to reflect the light where I wanted it.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

Anthony J. said:
fishNabowl, I spent about 2 hours in ace determined, it worked out.
I was thinking of constructing a bar over the top of the top of the aquarium, on legs, or maybe on the aquarium rim itself. Its not very heavy, but I used the mailbox because these bulbs get hot, and wanted pleanty of room in case I wanted to set it directly on the glass. I was thinking a combination of pvc fittings,  cut to fit and held to wood with screws. Essentially,  instead of pvc, I would use wood, but still use the T fittings for feet, and 90° elbows for the cross bar, or something.... I think. But I want to be able to hide the wireing, or at minimum,  run it along the top bar and legs, as running it down the wall, would be ugly imo, said the guy with a mailbox on top of his aquarium ;)
Click to expand...
This may work out good! Part of the DIY process is trial & error. I can't tell you how many times I've made stuff only to change it again, and again, and ....
 
pbmax

pbmax

Active Member
Re: ghetto, genius or "other" ??????

fishNAbowl said:
You can find tape at hardware stores used on ducting that is so shinny it's mirror like. Reminds me of new shinny chrome. I used it on an old system with T8 lights attached to a wood hood. Worked awesome, would have to say it increased PAR lest by 20%.

I think it was this stuff....
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Duck-1-88-x-15-yd-All-Purpose-Duct-Tape-Chrome-6-Pack-888789/203032204

What was neat about this stiff is I could bend it like aluminum foil to reflect the light where I wanted it.
Click to expand...
Hah, I didn't realize they made chrome duck tape. :) The only tape I could think of was the aluminum HVAC tape, but that has black labeling all over it. Thanks for the info!
 
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