Need ABC's on making lights.

[doodle1800]

If anyone wants to give me some advice on making, retrofitting, buying a light system, please help. So far my idea of obtaiining a light system is by getting online and buying one, pretty expensive, or a LFS - even more expensive. I'm pretty handy, can do a lot, so... whats needed? Are the parts available at HD, like the ballast, transformers and such? Are the lights available at LFS's? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy the whole thing? Is there any web sites with this kind of info?
thanks..

 

[jackdp]

You can buy retrofit kits pretty cheap online...check out hellolights.com ahsupply.com petsupplyliquidators.com
they all have kits for pc, vho, and halide lighting and whole hood systems

 

[krux]

http://aquarium.union.rpi.edu/articles/DIY_MH.html

 

[robn70]

Look at the wood canopys that are sold at your LFS then just measure your tank and go to lowes, home depot etc. buy some wood and stain. I you are handy they shouldn't be too hard to make. Then you can mount the retro kit to the inside of it.
I'm going to use the canopy that i had purchased for my 38 gal as a template to build one for my new tank when i get it over the summer.

 

[doodle1800]

I'm actually going to put this 55 or 75 in the wall, in the basement where I have plenty of room behind it to do whatever I want. So - a canopy isn't required. So.... by what you're saying I can buy a retro kit, which requires something to mount the "equipment" to, and hang it from the ceiling (won't be seen - behind wall). So the key word here is retro kit. I'll investigate more - thanks a bunch guys..

 

[robn70]

That should work fine since you won't be able to see the fixtures from the viewing area. post sme picts when you get it finished.