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hoppycalif · 03-17-2008, 06:47 PM

Niko jolted me into thinking "outside of the box" on light fixtures with this great thread: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ter-light.html
So, I designed a cantilevered light fixture that is a "pendant" style, but on a parallelogram linkage. This will allow me to swing it up out of the way, but still have the light directed down into the tank, and changing bulbs will be relatively easy. I will use this with an open top tank, in place of my current fixture that sits on the tank with the front half hinged to lift up.

Today I started making the actual fixture body, from 1/4" MDF, a simple box, but with the front and back angled so I can use mylar on them to help direct the light that would over shoot the tank top back into the tank. I will use my current 2 X 55 watt AH Supply kit, and the down position of the fixture will put those bulbs about 4 inches above the water vs. the 2" height they now sit at.

Here are my design sketches, which should be understandable without notes, I think:

The parallel links will be made of 1/2" x 1/8" aluminum bar. There will be an electrical outlet in the wall mounted box that the links attach to, for the lights, with the power coming by way of a timer mounted below the tank.

03-17-2008, 06:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
hoppycalif Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA, USA Posts: 5,208 iTrader Ratings: 20 iTrader Positive Rating: 100% Plant Points: 227345	DIY Cantilevered Light Fixture Niko jolted me into thinking "outside of the box" on light fixtures with this great thread: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ter-light.html So, I designed a cantilevered light fixture that is a "pendant" style, but on a parallelogram linkage. This will allow me to swing it up out of the way, but still have the light directed down into the tank, and changing bulbs will be relatively easy. I will use this with an open top tank, in place of my current fixture that sits on the tank with the front half hinged to lift up. Today I started making the actual fixture body, from 1/4" MDF, a simple box, but with the front and back angled so I can use mylar on them to help direct the light that would over shoot the tank top back into the tank. I will use my current 2 X 55 watt AH Supply kit, and the down position of the fixture will put those bulbs about 4 inches above the water vs. the 2" height they now sit at. Here are my design sketches, which should be understandable without notes, I think: The parallel links will be made of 1/2" x 1/8" aluminum bar. There will be an electrical outlet in the wall mounted box that the links attach to, for the lights, with the power coming by way of a timer mounted below the tank.