fraggle_a
Member
Alright!.
So begins the home made hood for my 40 Gallon tank.
I scoped out the wood. Im going to use some ply and 1x2 for the hood. The 1x2s will be the base and the Ply will over hang to cover the nasty black plastic trim around the tank.
The 1x2s will also server to reinforce the top, and as mount points for hardware.
After that, the insde will get a coat of sealer, then a sheet of polished aluminium will be attahced as the reflector, Thin stips will be doubled over to make hardware to hold the MH fixture.
So, what have I actualy accomplished so far?.
Well, I have through testing established that a $21 security light from Home Depot has the kick to start a 150Watt Metal Halide bulb and run it. I also established that I have to spend some time removing the guts from the lamp housing and also remove the photosensitive diode that turns the light on and off.
A very quick look at the Diode and housing suggests it sits in the circuit between the Ballast and Bulb, but Ill find that out later.
The $25 MH Bulb was returned to Home Depot after the test and a Medium size Ceramic Mougle was purchased for $5 to take the MH Bulb Im targeting.
A simple Powertool replacement cord also seems to work fantasticaly as the power chord and ran a wallet breaking $6.
IT seems so far the single most exspensive part of this project could end up being the plexiglass (or glass) insert to stop the saltwater from splashing onto the lights, LEDs and PCs.
:footnote:
A wizard idea was to use some 12v computer fans as a cooling solutoion, which also leads nicely onto creating my own "Nightlight" system.
So begins the home made hood for my 40 Gallon tank.
I scoped out the wood. Im going to use some ply and 1x2 for the hood. The 1x2s will be the base and the Ply will over hang to cover the nasty black plastic trim around the tank.
The 1x2s will also server to reinforce the top, and as mount points for hardware.
After that, the insde will get a coat of sealer, then a sheet of polished aluminium will be attahced as the reflector, Thin stips will be doubled over to make hardware to hold the MH fixture.
So, what have I actualy accomplished so far?.
Well, I have through testing established that a $21 security light from Home Depot has the kick to start a 150Watt Metal Halide bulb and run it. I also established that I have to spend some time removing the guts from the lamp housing and also remove the photosensitive diode that turns the light on and off.
A very quick look at the Diode and housing suggests it sits in the circuit between the Ballast and Bulb, but Ill find that out later.
The $25 MH Bulb was returned to Home Depot after the test and a Medium size Ceramic Mougle was purchased for $5 to take the MH Bulb Im targeting.
A simple Powertool replacement cord also seems to work fantasticaly as the power chord and ran a wallet breaking $6.
IT seems so far the single most exspensive part of this project could end up being the plexiglass (or glass) insert to stop the saltwater from splashing onto the lights, LEDs and PCs.
:footnote:
A wizard idea was to use some 12v computer fans as a cooling solutoion, which also leads nicely onto creating my own "Nightlight" system.