Retrofit Lights?

Katmanblue · 08/08/2008, 11:35 AM

Please assume that my electrical expertise is limited to plugging in appliances and screwing in light bulbs.

With that assumption, should someone like me stay away from a DIY project to retrofit a hood with lights? I don't like the visual of a beautiful tank, a nice dark oak stand and then a black compressed plastic hood sitting on top. Instead I'd rather see a matching canopy with lights but I'm afraid I'd have to do that myself. Is the retrofitting easy or would I need night-school electrical 101?

Finally can someone recommend a thread or link that has retrofitting for dummies?

Thx!

cdness · 08/08/2008, 11:40 AM

They are not too hard to set up with a well designed canopy. There should be some plans on RC somewhere.

You could always fine a local college student with electrical experience who would like to make some extra beer ... I mean school money..

. They should have no issues wiring the canopy for you.

Katmanblue · 08/08/2008, 11:49 AM

So I shouldn't drink the beer and do the lights

...

I'll do more searching on the DIY and lighting threads, but I did see that Hamilton lights offers an oak finish on one of their Halide set ups....

Thx

bunzaroo · 08/08/2008, 06:57 PM

I'm in the same boat as you obly differernce is I need assistance with the lightbulb!! Seriously what lind of lighting are you looking at T5, MH and how wide is your canopy?

08/08/2008, 11:35 AM	#1
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	Retrofit Lights? Please assume that my electrical expertise is limited to plugging in appliances and screwing in light bulbs. With that assumption, should someone like me stay away from a DIY project to retrofit a hood with lights? I don't like the visual of a beautiful tank, a nice dark oak stand and then a black compressed plastic hood sitting on top. Instead I'd rather see a matching canopy with lights but I'm afraid I'd have to do that myself. Is the retrofitting easy or would I need night-school electrical 101? Finally can someone recommend a thread or link that has retrofitting for dummies? Thx!

08/08/2008, 11:40 AM	#2
cdness Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 870	They are not too hard to set up with a well designed canopy. There should be some plans on RC somewhere. You could always fine a local college student with electrical experience who would like to make some extra beer ... I mean school money... They should have no issues wiring the canopy for you. __________________ 125G Reef, 40G sump, Marineland 4500 returns, Dart Closed Loop, OM 4-way, LED and Apollo LED Red River Valley Reefers - Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks Reef Club -http://redrivervalleyreefers.com Current Tank Info: 75G display, 20G sump, Additional 10G Fuge, drilled, Ocean Runner 6500 for closed loop, Catalina Aquarium CA4000 Return pump, MSX 160 Skimmer

08/08/2008, 11:49 AM	#3
Katmanblue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 222	So I shouldn't drink the beer and do the lights ... I'll do more searching on the DIY and lighting threads, but I did see that Hamilton lights offers an oak finish on one of their Halide set ups.... Thx

08/08/2008, 06:57 PM	#4
bunzaroo Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 617	I'm in the same boat as you obly differernce is I need assistance with the lightbulb!! Seriously what lind of lighting are you looking at T5, MH and how wide is your canopy?