diy cheato light

[mayhem_audio]

i am wanting to build an under the tank low cost high efficientce grow light
first i want to point out good deals bads deals
on cords and fixtures
alot of people go out and buy the clip lights with the metal reflectors
but i say why?? cause with the cfl lights they have aq built in reflector
so if you are building your own light and fixture
watch out or they will get you on a cord
dont buy this
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/0217001849.jpg
buy this same gauge and amp rating
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/0217001849a.jpg
it cost a buck fifty less and you get an extra 17 feet of cord
buy a replacement end and you have a short extention cord or another project cord
ok parts needed... electrical box, cord, 2 light fixtures, wire nuts, box cover,
2 6500k bulbs
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170400.jpg
to start prepare the box
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170401.jpg
trim cord to desired length
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170402.jpg
but into box
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170404.jpg
install light fixtures
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170406.jpg
wite all together
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170407.jpg

[mayhem_audio]

install bulbs
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170408.jpg
and power up
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/MAYHEM_AUDIO/chaeto%20light/P2170412.jpg
mount under tank on a board and you set
bulbs were 8.98 each
lamp holders 2.17 each
cord was 5.97
box and cover 2.77
i got extra plugs to have at2.17 each
and a bag of wirenuts for 2.69
time took about 15 min to build max
i just like to build stuff

[chromiumlux]

Nice! Now get that on a timer reverse from your Display lighting.

[marinelife]

looks good

[jeremyreef]

great idea. wish i did mine that way.

[mayhem_audio]

right on andy forgot to mention the timer

[chromiumlux]

Intermatic?? or Mayhemmatic?

[mayhem_audio]

what to build next
maybe i should work on my closet some more mortor the tile in ??

[TechGuy40]

what to build next
maybe i should work on my closet some more mortor the tile in ??

Yes you should, I want to see the finished project!

Nice lights too! I need to do something with mine.

[Jshroom86]

looks good, I am working on something simalar I think I am going to use a led grow bulb I am going to have 20 long refugium, with only the middle 16 inches needing light.

[mayhem_audio]

tiles all mortered hopfuly grought tomorrow night

[jeremyreef]

this convinced me to remove my cone type reflector, glad i did, it was being eaten through by salt. i do need to block some light on the side of it now because too much light is getting to the rest of my sump. it makes stuff grow in my skimmer that causes it to not work as well and i need to clean all the time.

[mayhem_audio]

try some black abs or acrylic great for a light block

[jeremyreef]

yeah, will look into those items. i just have a laminated piece of paper that works for now :)