What lighting over DIY HOB filter fuge?

MrSpiffy · 08/31/2006, 03:15 PM

I posted this in the DIY forum, but haven't gotten any response yet, so I decided to post it here and see what you guys think.

I've been considering turning my Whisper 40 filter into a mini 'fuge, but am a little stuck on lighting for it. Basically, I'll use the existing plastic screen that usually holds the foam filter pad as a block against the macro algae from entering the main tank, and put a light over it. (I assume that should be sufficient, or are there other mods one might suggest? I've seen the AquaClear 70 mods, but don't know if they're worth doing for this.)

My question to all of you wonderful people is this:

What lighting would you suggest for this little project?

I've considered using a clip-on light with a weak (approx. 10W-25W) incandescent bulb, but am not hot on that idea. I could replace that with a comparable PC bulb instead. But there has to be something smaller than a clip-on I could use.

I've also thought about those little halogen hockey-puck-style lights that mount onto something, but those get freakin' hot! I don't want heat in my little 20G tank. It's warm enough they way it is. I found some LED puck-style lights, too, but those require a 12V DC supply and probably wouldn't put out much light, despite the 9 LED's in them.

I may construct my own "hood" for this light over the tank so it doesn't light the room up at night, so I could incorporate mounting something into this mod. But I want it to be fairly small and cool.

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

silverwolf72 · 08/31/2006, 05:33 PM

A florecent grow light

stereomandan · 08/31/2006, 08:06 PM

Hmm, The little screw in style compacts(normal bulb base socket) are nice because the heat is low with good light output. You could cut down the size of the reflector and make it smaller.

MrSpiffy · 09/01/2006, 07:05 AM

Thanks for those ideas, guys. Anyone else have suggestions on how to light this thing?

MrSpiffy · 09/02/2006, 01:24 PM

bump.

08/31/2006, 03:15 PM	#1
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	What lighting over DIY HOB filter fuge? I posted this in the DIY forum, but haven't gotten any response yet, so I decided to post it here and see what you guys think. I've been considering turning my Whisper 40 filter into a mini 'fuge, but am a little stuck on lighting for it. Basically, I'll use the existing plastic screen that usually holds the foam filter pad as a block against the macro algae from entering the main tank, and put a light over it. (I assume that should be sufficient, or are there other mods one might suggest? I've seen the AquaClear 70 mods, but don't know if they're worth doing for this.) My question to all of you wonderful people is this: What lighting would you suggest for this little project? I've considered using a clip-on light with a weak (approx. 10W-25W) incandescent bulb, but am not hot on that idea. I could replace that with a comparable PC bulb instead. But there has to be something smaller than a clip-on I could use. I've also thought about those little halogen hockey-puck-style lights that mount onto something, but those get freakin' hot! I don't want heat in my little 20G tank. It's warm enough they way it is. I found some LED puck-style lights, too, but those require a 12V DC supply and probably wouldn't put out much light, despite the 9 LED's in them. I may construct my own "hood" for this light over the tank so it doesn't light the room up at night, so I could incorporate mounting something into this mod. But I want it to be fairly small and cool. Any other ideas? Thanks!

08/31/2006, 08:06 PM	#3
stereomandan Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,888	Hmm, The little screw in style compacts(normal bulb base socket) are nice because the heat is low with good light output. You could cut down the size of the reflector and make it smaller. __________________ 90g Tank, 75 lbs Live Rock, T5, T8 and VHO Lighting, Closed loop on Snapper Pump 1.5" Sand in main tank, DSB in 38g Sump, B-ionic Daily, Temp 79, SG 1.026 LPS, Softies Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Reef

08/31/2006, 05:33 PM	#2
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	A florecent grow light

09/01/2006, 07:05 AM	#4
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	Thanks for those ideas, guys. Anyone else have suggestions on how to light this thing?

09/02/2006, 01:24 PM	#5
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	bump.