operation more wattage

[vibe]

hey guys. i just want to share my latest project with you guys. i have no experience with building my own stuff for saltwater tanks. but in the following pics, you will see how i am going to "attempt"mount a 28 watt PC light onto an eclips hood. keep in mind there is already 40 watts of fluorescence over the tank. im just adding this for a little bit more of a boost. the 28 will soon be converted to a 36 or a 40 watt lamp. heres a run down:
i am using:
- 28 watt coralife aqualight PC fixture(previously owned by me).
specific parts im using:
-ballast
-lamp
-reflector
-front part of outer casing
-a piece of the back outer casing.
tools:
-hack saw
-tape measure
-hot glue gun with glue sticks
-permanent marker
-pencil
-paper
-my brain and common sense
to start off, heres the plans that i drew. now remember im only 18 and my plan drawing skills arent that sharp, but i think my three years of drafting class helped me out:

 

[vibe]

ballast plan:

 

[vibe]

side view plan of set up:

 

[vibe]

this is the area that it is to be mounted:

 

[vibe]

another angle:

 

[vibe]

random pic of work area (dinning room table):

 

[vibe]

i changed the plan a little. i am mounting the ballast outside, sort of overhanging on the back. heres the area it will be mounted on:

 

[vibe]

here the ballast after i got done screwing it down and hot glueing the switch and fuse down:

 

[vibe]

actually i did glue down the switch in that pic. heres the finished project waiting to be mounted:

 

[vibe]

tell me what you guys think. any ideas or suggestions let me know . thanks

 

[spoon]

I love DIY'ers. :happy:
When I made my MH Pendant I was REALLY excited. I made countless trips to the hardware store for that one. Keep us updated, looks great so far.

 

[squidd]

Good job Vibe...Well thought out, nice plan...and Yes,sometimes there are "last minute" adjustments...
Spoon, You want to talk "multiple trips" to the HDWR store...?
How about PLUMBING...3 X "T"s, 4 X 90s,2 X ball valves....
OOPs...need glue,cleaner and another 90...
OOPs...need 2 X 45s,a coupler, and a 3/4 adaptor...
OOPs...need another legnth of pipe,a 2 more "T"s and some teflon tape...
OOPs...wrong adaptor,need a reducer,a coupler, no make that two,no make that three and another legnth of flex hose...
OOPs...Aww the heck with it..."Give me 10 of everything...and I'll bring back what I don't use"...
OOPs..."I need 2 more".......

 

[dburr]

I could not get the mision impossible theme out of my head...:notsure:
Good luck with it.:yes:

 

[fishman830]

good luck!

 

[vibe]

thanks all. ive been busy with school. (only one more day then 4 days of exams). after that im mounting it. its ina box ready to go. ill post pics when i do. thanx for all the support. and yes this is really fun stuff. i havent been real crafty in awhile. there were no "OOP's" for me. i planned ahead. drew it out. then made sure i had all the tools. my dads a contractor/ general construction and home improvment expert, so we have one of every tool there is lol. (accept for the hack saw which i borrowed)

. thanx again all.