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View Full Version : DIY Aquaspace light pendant

Richer
05-04-2005, 12:47 AM
Des and I were bored today, so we put together our version of an aquaspace light with some aluminum and rivets.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/spacelights1.jpg
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/spacelights2.jpg
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/spacelights3.jpg

It took us about 30 minutes to put the shell together. We haven't decided on how to put the reflector and end sockets in yet. The shell has the same footprint as your standard 500w halogen fixture.


























































http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/spacelights4.jpg

....and thats Des, acting like the goofball that we all know he is :rolleyes:

-Rich
Richer
05-04-2005, 12:59 AM
Apparently Des was still bored when I left... so he made another one:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/pendant1.jpg
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/pendant2.jpg
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/pendant3.jpg

Made out of wood grain aluminum too! :mrgreen:

-Rich
kuatto
05-04-2005, 01:34 AM
Great job :cool:
kari
05-04-2005, 02:06 AM
What are you guys planning on using for reflector material? 3/16" low-E glass sheild? Maybe you could use aluminum angle stock (like from PA) to hold the sockets in place. I'm using 2 U-Do pendant fixtures made with an aluminum frame. One SE MH and the other a 2X110w VHO. I figure the tricky part will be the reflector design to max out the efficiency of the fixture for your intended use.
Dez
05-04-2005, 02:29 AM
What are you guys planning on using for reflector material? 3/16" low-E glass sheild? Maybe you could use aluminum angle stock (like from PA) to hold the sockets in place. I'm using 2 U-Do pendant fixtures made with an aluminum frame. One SE MH and the other a 2X110w VHO. I figure the tricky part will be the reflector design to max out the efficiency of the fixture for your intended use.

Relflector material is from the Home Depot halogen pendant, it's not a hammertone reflector so it should be pretty good. For the sockets, riveting them on works great for a nice clean look. The pendant was made to fit the Home Depot halogen pendant uv shield glass. If you take a look at the first picture of the black pendant, the glass is already installed. It's just so clean that you can't see it :biggrin: It was a fun project.

Des
Murminator
05-04-2005, 03:31 AM
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/metroopt/Aquarium/Saltwater/spacelights4.jpg



This is what you end up with when you add Dez, power tools and crack :eek:
Gujustud
05-04-2005, 03:35 AM
This is what you end up with when you add Dez, power tools and crack :eek:

crack or kalk?
Dez
05-04-2005, 04:39 AM
[
This is what you end up with when you add Dez, power tools and crack :eek:

I don't think power tools were involved, and beer happened afterwards....

:biggrin:

Des
muck
05-04-2005, 05:04 AM
Thats some nice looking work there guys!!
(Must be nice to have nothing to do... :rolleyes: )
Kiznik
05-04-2005, 05:05 AM
Are those screws or rivets? did you check the prices on a rivet gun or whatever makes rivets?
Richer
05-04-2005, 05:09 AM
Those are rivets. I think the rivet gun was around 15-20 bucks and the rivets around 2-3 bucks a pack at House of Tools. House of Tools also sells a riveter and rivets package for around 15 dollars, but the riveter looks a little cheap.

-Rich
Kiznik
05-04-2005, 05:22 AM
Well it looks slick so good job. Is that for the canopy?
Dez
05-04-2005, 12:49 PM
Thats some nice looking work there guys!!
(Must be nice to have nothing to do... :rolleyes: )

It is very nice to have nothing to do :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

At least you get to chat at work all the time :)

Des
Dez
05-04-2005, 12:50 PM
Well it looks slick so good job. Is that for the canopy?

The first one (grey) is for sale, I'm not sure what I'm doing with the second one yet....I think I'm going to keep it and maybe retrofit a regular screw in PC bulb in there for now....

Des
mtar
05-26-2005, 06:20 AM
The first one (grey) is for sale, I'm not sure what I'm doing with the second one yet....I think I'm going to keep it and maybe retrofit a regular screw in PC bulb in there for now....

Des
What are asking for the grey one??? I might be intertested. I'm in the process of gathering gear for a 20 gal TALL nano. but being a newbie what kind of light would you recommend I install???


Eric
Dez
05-27-2005, 04:12 AM
The grey one is $10.... It depends what kind of corals you want to put in there before you decide on lighting.


Des
mtar
05-30-2005, 05:14 AM
I want flexibility with regards to whatever I can grow. You mention using a home depot 500w pendant. would that be over kill for a 20 gal tall?? I would use a different bulb than what comes with?? right??
Dez
05-30-2005, 02:50 PM
I want flexibility with regards to whatever I can grow. You mention using a home depot 500w pendant. would that be over kill for a 20 gal tall?? I would use a different bulb than what comes with?? right??

The home depot pendant is just for the uv shield or glass that comes with it. The halogen bulbs are no good for the hobby. Hqi metal halides need a uv shield so that you won't get a tan and your corals won't get fried. I buy the $10 pendant just for the glass that comes with that pendant, the reflector can also be used. I hope this helps.

Des
mtar
05-31-2005, 06:36 AM
Yeah that does, which retro fit (Hqi metal halides) would you recommend?? to fit that pendant??? sorry for the silly questions. I'm a newbie!!! :mrgreen:.

Thanks, Eric