I have a 29 biocube, removed bio balls and plan on getting some chaeto for the 2nd chamber.
I have been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to light the 2nd chamber without cutting etc. My idea is to use the existing lighting system, and mount a mirror angled over the chamber, and reflecting the existing light into the chamber. Will this work???? The mirror would span the length of the chamber and about 4" wide. I tried one of my Wifes makeup mirrors, and lit the chamber fairly well.
Most of what I find is to big, and requires mods. I did find a 50 watt Halo perfect size for that chamber, but its not outdoor, and afraid it might short out.

Thanks

Hi Joe and :welcome: to TR.

I have read of people doing this very successfully. I have also read of them scraping the black off the outside of the chamber so it can be lit that way.

to be honest i also have a 29gbiocube and i use a piece of tinfoil thats does the job pretty well

I have also read of them scraping the black off the outside of the chamber so it can be lit that way.

That was my original plan before I added the skimmer (which blocks the rear). You can easily use a small 7-9W CF palm/perch lights.

They make mirror quality acrylic. That should work well!

Dave

I peeled the plastic off my aquapod 24, it's like contact paper. Then bought a 20$ light from home depot. It was a desk lap, I eventually modded it, but basically just velcro'd to the back....

good luck

Hello Brandon and :welcome: to TR! Thanks for jumping in with advice.

I peeled the plastic off my aquapod 24, it's like contact paper. Then bought a 20$ light from home depot. It was a desk lap, I eventually modded it, but basically just velcro'd to the back....

How was growth with the stock bulb?

Thank you for having me..

How was growth with the stock bulb?

I felt that not enough light would reach the rear chambers in my aquapod. I have some Cheato in chamber 1, which was my main concern for the light. Also I am running my overflow through a small sponge to help catch larger particals. That sponge almost covers the entire surface area in chamber one. There is aprox. a 2" X 4" section that allows a lil' bit. I noticed very little growth during the first few weeks, so I decided to upgrade. After being disapointed that I would have to cut my acrylic sheild for my lights, (half is clear, half is fog), not to mention move my ballasts, ect. to fit a small 9watt pc, I decided I needed to see what I was working with. I ripped that coating off the back, but I left the few inches of it on the sides. I decided to light it from the back, also gave me option to run a reverse light cycle.

The light I purchased fit my needs exactly, I got it at the depot, its a 27 watt quad tube compact. It also had a nice small elect. ballast inside, but it would have worked well over a 20gallon or so tank, or fuge without modification. Good deal for 20 dollars. Anyway, growth since the new bulb has doubled over several times. Very impressed. I have modded the light, actually just finished a few details last nite after reading this forum. I did have it just propped up back there, and that seemed to work very well too. Maybe I'll post some pics if I can figure it out. It was my first of many mods for my aquapod.
-brandon

Maybe I'll post some pics if I can figure it out.

Please do! This is next on my list!

BEFORE...
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg153/xxxmisfitkidxxx/7ccd3482-a28b-4b64-b114-abbac2f2e56.jpg
AFTER...
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg153/xxxmisfitkidxxx/DSC06777.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg153/xxxmisfitkidxxx/DSC06779.jpg

Just made it remote ballast, and made a fixture with some things I had lying around...
I should have done a DIY. LOL
The rain gutter was overkill, I should have left light intact with the lamp housing, and just eliminated the arm and base, But it does the job very well...

Just be careful with water, and electricity:w000t:

That looks really well done. I guess you housed the ballast in like a project box?

That looks really well done. I guess you housed the ballast in like a project box?

Thank you, like i said, if i did over again, i would leave the lamp alone, but just get rid of the arm & base, but it works for me.

yes that is a project box, I had one leftover from something and it fit the ballast and a switch pretty well. I think that one costs about $3 at radio shack.
So if you did something like this, or just used the lamp the way it is, your looking at $20-$25.

I may try to redo the fixture for the light. that rain gutter works, but it's kind of bulky. a friend works at a siding store so it was free.

good luck, follow up on what you do, i'm curious.