Ok Hoppy,
Nice! Just why MDF? It seems heavy to me, but I really like the mecanism to move the fixture.
I see that after this cantilevered contraption you will be up for another challenge when you see my new creation
It seems that I will be building a T5HO light containing five 60" long Giesmann Midday bulbs (80 Watt each). The light has to cover the tank because the light spill from a hanging fixture will be too much in the living room. The tank is 6' long X 21" deep X 18" wide. My current plans are:
- Super slim profile
- All metal housing
- Perforated metal top plate (ventilation, reduce light spill, looks)
- 2 hinges on the back of the tank
- Small locking mechanism located on the back rim of the tank to keep the light un raised position
- Individual reflector for each bulb
- Remote ballasts (very light fixture above the tank)
- No visible wires
- 5 levels of illumination (80, 160, 240, 320, or 400 watt)
- Moonlights
- The light from each bulb can be directed by rotating each reflector around the lamp
- Very low heat (can put and hold your hand on the fixture)
- Price: about $400 for all materials
--Nikolay