Ultra efficient and inexpensive monster light. - DIY Aquarium Projects

niko · 03-09-2008, 06:35 PM

Here are pictures and comments on a 4 ft. light that I made for my neighbour's 75 gals. tank:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ddasega/DaveS

Bulbs:
1. Two 47 inch long Giesemann Midday T5HO with individual reflectors (110 total watts)
2. Two AtoTlamps 10,000K VHO, 47 inches without reflectors (220 total watts)

The T5s are on the sides, the VHOs are in the middle.

The T5s run off 2 Workhorse 5 ballasts. The VHOs run off one Workhorse 7 ballast.

The VHOs are on 3 hours a day. The T5s are on 11 hours a day. 4 or 5 min. after the VHOs switch on the tank is literally boiling from streams of bubbles running everywhere.

Cost of this project:
1. T5s + reflectors = $80
2. VHOs = $34
3. 3 Workhorse ballasts = $105
4. Electric wire = $20
5. Hardware (tin roof flashing, metal tube, screws, silicone, paint) = $20
TOTAL: about 250

Discussion about this light:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...210g-tank.html

--Nikolay

Zapins · 03-09-2008, 06:58 PM

Ahh niko, you always have the best DIY projects. Always interesting and cheap.

Where did you get the reflectors from by the way (for the T5)?

Also, can you remove the light hood easily if you need to or does that involve unscrewing the pipe/wood from the stand?

Tex Gal · 03-09-2008, 07:26 PM

What a nice light! It has a great profile. So it has no on/off switch but is connected to timers which act as the switches? It really is nice... I wish I was your neighbor!

Zapins · 03-09-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex Gal

I wish I was your neighbor!

Yea me too :/ nobody near me likes plant/fish stuff... *sniffle*

niko · 03-09-2008, 08:11 PM

Zapins,

Removing the fixture is not easy because everything is bolted together. So the pipes and light housing are one big awkward shaped object. One should remove the wood screws keeping the piece of wood with the attached pipes. Pretty pathetic process, I know, but my neighbour means to keep this tank forever so it's ok. He is completely hooked up on planted tanks now, got a bunch of shrimp, changes water every other day, the whole nine yards.

The T5s, reflectors, and ballasts are from reefgeek.com. Orders above $100 or so (I think) are shipping free.

TexGal,

Making this light was really easy. I wish I could ship these things - making one of them would take not more than an hour including the painting.

No, there are no on/off switches, there is no need. The timers control it all. There are also moonlights but I didn't find it necessary to take pictures of the 2 LEDs.

--Nikolay

panaque · 03-09-2008, 08:12 PM

Hey,Niko. Nice light! Thanks for all the info...I was looking to make a new fixture for my 75 and this one looks like the one.

niko · 03-09-2008, 08:26 PM

T5s, ballasts, reflectors - reefgeek.com

VHOs - AtoTlamps - http://www.atotlamps.com - a local light bulb store, but they are on ebay too and ship nationally. You can just call them up, they are very helpful. They make their own brand of VHOs and these things are light years ahead of URI or Coralife - both color and intensity. Ultra bright, can't really look at two 110 watt bulbs if they are side by side. Price is $17 per bulb, ridiculous. I dislike VHO but in this case it seems to work wonders.

Everything else - Home Depot, Lowe's.

--Nikolay

SPC · 03-10-2008, 04:53 PM

Nice light fixture, Niko.

Quote:

Originally Posted by niko

VHOs - AtoTlamps - http://www.atotlamps.com - a local light bulb store, but they are on ebay too and ship nationally. You can just call them up, they are very helpful. They make their own brand of VHOs and these things are light years ahead of URI or Coralife - both color and intensity. Ultra bright, can't really look at two 110 watt bulbs if they are side by side. Price is $17 per bulb, ridiculous. I dislike VHO but in this case it seems to work wonders.

This really has me curious as I have used URI for many years. I looked at the web site but did not see these listed.

When you say "they make their own brand of VHO", are you saying they have a light bulb manufacturing facility for making light bulbs?
Thanks,
Steve

DonaldmBoyer · 03-09-2008, 08:26 PM

Niko---would you make and ship to potential buyers like myself needing to light a 450g?

I would still have no idea how to make this.....your light kicks some major tail, man!

niko · 03-09-2008, 09:30 PM

Donald,

Weigh your options with the commercially available lights. Personally I wouldn't buy any other brand but Giesemann, but then you are looking at a pretty nice price tag because this brand would be the equivalent of a freaking Maybach after all:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Excelero.jpg

Prices for Giesemann MH + T5HO (and you may need 2!):
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_search...gory~72in.html

Let me know in a PM what you decide and we will see. Your tank is a true monster both in size and unusual shape and the lights will take some serious consideration about the exact design.

--Nikolay