Lighting question

smokinjoe42 · 02-21-2008, 04:45 PM

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

**CarmieJo** · 02-21-2008, 07:02 PM

Hi Joe and

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.

intheb0x · 02-22-2008, 11:04 PM

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

keith p · 03-19-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarmieJo

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.

**JustDavidP** · 03-19-2008, 02:28 PM

They make mirror quality acrylic. That should work well!

Dave

xxxmisfitkidxxx · 03-26-2008, 05:15 PM

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

**CarmieJo** · 03-26-2008, 07:33 PM

Hello Brandon and

to TR! Thanks for jumping in with advice.

keith p · 03-27-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxmisfitkidxxx

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?

xxxmisfitkidxxx · 03-27-2008, 01:19 PM

Thank you for having me..

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith p

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

keith p · 03-27-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxmisfitkidxxx

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

Please do! This is next on my list!

xxxmisfitkidxxx · 03-27-2008, 01:49 PM

BEFORE...

AFTER...

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

keith p · 03-27-2008, 02:25 PM

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

xxxmisfitkidxxx · 03-27-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith p

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.