DIY 54W T5x4 Lights

hey guys.. so i know this differs from my previous design.. but its just that that design would have taken far too long to create.. so i opted for the easy way out.. i also decided not to add the CFL's that i intended to add as 4x54w t5's is way enough lights already

so here goes:

i first built the frame on which the lights were going to sit :


here's the reflector material i bought (THANKS @Mic.E)


basic layout of the system:


here i glued and nailed the body of the lights :


this is how it was basically going to look:




this is what is holding it above the tank temporarily:


made a simple design to hold it all together:


next i had to figure a way out to fix the lights to the frame (wasn too hard):




switch the lights on to test:


only 2 lights on in this pic and u can already see how bright it is!!!

so whats left of this build some small touch ups, sand and paint! then should be ready for action!

 

smart, Hope you dont mind if I copy it

 

GO AHEAD! thats why i posted it here.. so u guys can get some inspiration! i copied the look from another guy as well logistics are my own though

 

Looks good. Nice design too.

 

Awesome design, are you going to have gap between the tank and hood, or are you going to install fans to extract heat.

 

uh ya, thats what this is for:

as for the fans etc.. yes, i am going to install that and more.. bit of a secret atm.. will post pics when im done!

 

Ok are going to run atleast a peace of wood in the front so you dont have a gap cause the light coming out between the tank and hood will be a bit sharp on the eyes if you sitting close looking into the tank.

 

thats true i would most likely keep a gap at the back, but the sides and front I would keep closed

 

Hey Sihr. Looking really cool man. That alanod is like a mirror!, but it doesnt rust as i understand. Did you already make reflectors? how does the alanod work? Did you find it easy to work with? And how much did it cost? I want to use alanod too, but I havent seen any in Pretoria, maybe ill go to that place in randburg to get me a sheet aswell. And did you get those t5 ballasts from a lfs? Sorry for all the questions, Im just curious because lighting and co2 is my next challenges that im facing. Nice build though

 

how many t5's can you run on that on that ballast and what does it cost

 

@Mic.E its pretty soft so seems like i can cut it with a knife or even strong scissors! havnt built it yet.. doing that last.. i got the plans in my head was 270 for a sheet.. cant rem the dimensions but must be about 1.2x1.4ish maybe?

yes i got those balasts at lfs.. each balast can run 2x54w t5's.. there different ones with different wattages too..will pm u and @carlp details.. dont think i can post it here cos of sponsors..

 

nicely done...inspiring

 

Hey shihr. really nice build. cant wait to see it after you made the reflectors. well done. thanks for the pm aswell

 

Looking very good man!

 

ok so been busy for past few weeks so only did small progress.. anyways heres some pics:

drilled holes for ventelation and did a small asthetic design on the bottom of the lights.. it holds the bottom together and looks good


added some PC fans to the mix


also added the grills so there wont be any cut fingers


and in other news, ive given the inside the first white coat.. going to do the second coat tonight and then the black on the outside.. est time to completion: 3days..

 

I really like your design with the ventilation and fans! I have just completed my hood as well, I have constructed it from 9mm marine ply which i have stained ebony in colour. I have installed my t5 lighting with individual reflectors and spaced them from the hood in an attempt to reduce heat soak in the plywood. But after just 2 days the heat from the lights has warped my lid by nearly 6mm!!! Wish I had the insight to install ventilation as you have done! Excellent design!!

 

wow, thanks for the huge compliment dude.. i just did a HUGE amount of research.. marine ply does have the tendency to warp when hot and wet.. the inner layer of my lid is marine ply as well and boy is it warping.. thats why i glued and nailed an extra supa wood to it..

 

ok so painting finished!



now need to do the wiring.. was going to do it yesterday but the fiancee wouldn be too happy

show u guys some pics later..

 

this is how i cooled my lights:
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/s...USB-powered-T5-Cooling-fans&p=92449#post92449

 

Thats a great tutorial - thanks Shihr ! I think I may need to include some sort of cooling mechanism for my lights.......