Doing exactly this I was able to put 2 13watt CFLs in my 10 gallon for less than $15 and 30 minutes of work/planning. Nice write up! I will have to get some foil. was thinking of spraying the inside white but I like the foil tape idea better.
low tech cheap lighting - guide
Ok I promised before to couple of people that i ll make this guide . This morning finally got my hands on a camera and took some pics that will help me explain whats being done.
This is converting ur original hood into more powerfull one :
1.Disconnect power and remove original guts from the hood. ( save the screws)
2.Cut the wires as close to the original balast as possible so that you are left with enough wiring for ur new fixture.It should look like that :
![]()
and here is close up on the wires left . U will need couple more 5 inch long wires to connect both screw in type of sockets together.:
![]()
4. install reflector . i used aluminum foil which isnt great but works somewhat . if u can get real reflector i am sure it would work much better .
anywyas mine looks like that :
![]()
this is after i cut the foil so there can be some air circulation.\:
![]()
5.You gonna need two of this :
![]()
.
I got those in home depot . Make sure they got a screw holder .
another pic of it :
![]()
6.Connect the swith wires in series with power wires ( one of the switch wires together with one of the power wires. use wire nut as shown :
![]()
7.Connect the two sockets in parrellel and hook up the power to it as shown :
![]()
.
8. screw in the sockets using saved screws :
![]()
and insulate the connections with electrical tape :
![]()
9. screw the bulbs in and test it
![]()
I am using one 27 watts and one 32 wattas bulb and have no issue with heat .
Please if you dont have any technical experiance DO NOT DO it yourself .
This is converting ur original hood into more powerfull one :
1.Disconnect power and remove original guts from the hood. ( save the screws)
2.Cut the wires as close to the original balast as possible so that you are left with enough wiring for ur new fixture.It should look like that :
and here is close up on the wires left . U will need couple more 5 inch long wires to connect both screw in type of sockets together.:
4. install reflector . i used aluminum foil which isnt great but works somewhat . if u can get real reflector i am sure it would work much better .
anywyas mine looks like that :
this is after i cut the foil so there can be some air circulation.\:
5.You gonna need two of this :
I got those in home depot . Make sure they got a screw holder .
another pic of it :
6.Connect the swith wires in series with power wires ( one of the switch wires together with one of the power wires. use wire nut as shown :
7.Connect the two sockets in parrellel and hook up the power to it as shown :
8. screw in the sockets using saved screws :
and insulate the connections with electrical tape :
9. screw the bulbs in and test it
I am using one 27 watts and one 32 wattas bulb and have no issue with heat .
Please if you dont have any technical experiance DO NOT DO it yourself .
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