Moonlights [Archive]

rolloffhill

09-10-2007, 08:59 AM

Not quite DIY but definetly Plug and play..:)

Kit: Digikits 72" 54 led kit with dimmer(optional) Picked them up on ebay for $50.00 plus the $5 dimmer and shipping.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC03172.jpg

Optional: The dimmer, $5 upgrade but worth it. They will solder it in for you. It gives a little more flexibility to your lighting, plus it is hard to know what kind of output you'll get untill you get it mounted.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC03175.jpg

You'll need: 3/4" conduit straps, wood screws and 3M mounting tape unless you have an extra set of hands to help.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC03177.jpg

Mounted: These don't take up alot of space and they are very well put together.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC03181.jpg

rolloffhill

09-10-2007, 09:00 AM

I also have a video of them in action and showing the different levels of brightness, but I can't edit it to upload to photobucket. So if anyone can help me with that let me know. :D

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC03198.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC03195.jpg

biggin

09-10-2007, 09:02 AM

Very cool.

AndrewH

09-10-2007, 10:41 AM

Very nice! I'd still call it a DIY as you had to get all the pieces and install them. Nice looking install, too BTW. And a great price.

Is Copenhagen a requirement for this install? If so I'd assume a spit cup too?

poel_19

09-10-2007, 10:42 AM

thats flippin awesome!!

rolloffhill

09-10-2007, 10:59 AM

misplacedsooner

09-10-2007, 11:16 AM

what size tank are these on and who is the seller? im interested in getting some for a 110.

rolloffhill

09-10-2007, 11:22 AM

These are on my 215 gallon, 29" deep.

Seller is http://myworld.ebay.com/digi555/

EAST_TX_RN

09-22-2007, 08:44 AM

Thanks for the info on digikit. I just ordered a 36 inch 18 LED and a 20 inch 18 LED for my two tanks! The shipping is kind of high since they are shipping from Canada, but the lights themselves are so cheap they make up for it! Will they do okay just laying on top of the tanks? I know one will fit in my hood but the other won't. I bought a set-up over a year ago from an individual seller online, and all I got was 2 separate blue LEDS on wires and a dimmer for about the same price I paid now for the 20 inch 18 LED! I had to duct-tape them to my hood!

rolloffhill

09-22-2007, 02:12 PM

I think you will need to mount them but it is worth a shot, maybe attach them to your existing lights.

EAST_TX_RN

09-22-2007, 08:41 PM

I only have a 24 inch hood for my 55 gal., 4 ft. tank. Guess I need to break down and buy a bigger one then. Bummer!

poel_19

09-23-2007, 11:46 AM

go to wal mart buy a shoplight for like 16 bucks(2 bulb fixture), then add your moonlight kit under neath it....cheap and effective..

fatfutures

09-23-2007, 12:07 PM

I think those walmart lights are all of $8 bucks. I bought one recently for the african tank. It's not sexy but, the lighting is WAY better than the hood light!

poel_19

09-23-2007, 12:47 PM

not sexy?? mines a smooth looking grey color all the ladies love it!! LOL!!

EAST_TX_RN

09-23-2007, 02:05 PM

Dumb me did not know I could use those type of florescent light fixtures! I thought it had to be a special hood and special lights. I am also trying to find a good price on a 50 ft. Python. Any places online that are reasonable? I have already checked out Walmart and craigslist.

poel_19

09-23-2007, 02:11 PM

well the lights are important depending what your keeping in the tank. I'm guessing your 55 is a cichlid tank so your best best would be lights that show off thier color. something in the blue spectrum i believe will do that nicely. Skip what type of bulbs do you use on your cichlid tank??

EAST_TX_RN

09-23-2007, 02:17 PM

Both of my tanks are cichlid tanks. My 55 is too dark with just the 24 inch hood, but then, I have the best luck with breeding in that tank too. I didn't realize that the shoplights would have the right wavelengths of light for fish. Thanks for the information!
I have learned so much since I have joined this site! Will check out both Walmart and Home Depot soon.

poel_19

09-23-2007, 02:23 PM

well the shoplight that I am talking about is justthe fixture, it does not include the bulbs. The bulbs would have to be bought separately... no idea if the lighting affects your breeding cichlids as i'm not a cichlid keeper, i'm sure someone would be better suited to answer that question

rolloffhill

09-23-2007, 04:27 PM

The fixture I have is just a lowes or HD cheap 6' 2 bulb single pin t12 fixture. Running regular daylight bulbs. That is my general lighting. Then I have the big boys come on later in the day.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC00052.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/rolloffhill/DIY/DSC00053.jpg

fatfutures

09-23-2007, 05:20 PM

SKipp's got the mammie jammie set up. But, for what you want RN, buy the lights at Walmart, not HD. The walmart lights provide a "cover" (I dunno the technical term), with the HD lights the bulbs are exposed and you'd need to build some sort of hood around them. Then you go to Petsmart ot some such place and buy aquarium bulbs. I've got a regular and a blue spectrum bulb in mine and it really brings out the colors in my cichlids.

Listen to me! I think I've "learned" something!

rolloffhill

09-23-2007, 05:28 PM

LOL true, I bought all my stuff before I decided which direction I was gonna go with the tank. Lots of overkill but figured I'd go ahead and use it since I had it.:o

EAST_TX_RN

09-23-2007, 06:41 PM

Wow! That is some set-up Skipp! Oh! I will go buy the el cheapo Walmart fixture and buy the bulbs to go with! Ya are saving me some money! Thanks everybody!

Sharon

AndrewH

09-24-2007, 01:04 PM

Yup, the cheap-o Wally World fixtures are a good buy. I saw some other fixtures at Lowes the other day that have a nice reflector on them, but they're ranging in the $30-$40 and wouldn't be necessary for a cichlid tank (you might consider the nicer reflectors for a planted tank). I would assume the ballast is a little on the cheap-o side in the Wally World fixtures and will probably only last about 75% as long as a high dollar ballast, but they're pretty cheap to replace and simple.

On the 50 ft. Python... if you already have a shorter one (I think mine came with a 20' hose), you can simply take your hose to HD or Lowes and buy whatever length you need. I think it's a whopping $0.25 per foot or so. If you don't already have the Python, then go to Wally World and buy a $5 waterbed fill/drain kit. They are the exact same thing as the Python and then go to HD or Lowes for the longer hose. Should be less than $20 total.

EAST_TX_RN

09-25-2007, 09:51 AM

That is a great idea, Andrew! I have been looking at the DIY pythons and didn't know if I could figure out how to make it work. A guy on craigslist had his 50 ft. Python for sale for $50 I think! Amazon has them for $44! So far as the hoods, I may go look at Lowe's, because I really want to try getting my tank planted some day. I know that is a joke, but I have seen some really nice planted cichlid tanks. I also got a list of area rock dealers to see if they have any Texas Holey rock. With all of ya's great tips, I am going to have some nice tanks soon! Thanks!

Sharon

AndrewH

09-25-2007, 10:19 AM

Well there's a difference in a HOOD and a CANOPY.

HOOD = normally the glass tops that just sit above the tank.

CANOPY = normally some sort of structure that completely covers the top of the tank and anything above it.

I'm pretty sure most pet stores will carry the hoods (excluding Wally World), but for a pre-made canopy you'll need to find a specialty fish store, online, or build your own (or have someone else build if or you;)).

EAST_TX_RN

09-25-2007, 12:15 PM

Oops! I meant hood! I checked online at lowes.com, but the only 'hooded' florescent light fixture they had was 51 inches long, too long for my 4 ft. 55 gal. Will check the store anyway, in case they have more of a selection. What is the best light wattage or whatever for a 4 ft. 55 gal.? Sorry for all the questions! I am also thinking about a plastic gutter DIY light hood I saw online that maybe my darling husband will make for me if I am lucky! Thanks for the help!

ElijahTurtle

09-25-2007, 12:30 PM

Wal-Mart has a 48" flourescent "shop light" for anout 10-12 bucks.

xtc

09-25-2007, 03:51 PM

shesh- I stumbled into a moonlight thread and saw everything BUT moonlights being discussed.

They just poured a new cement curb for us- it's nice and sloped so you can ride a bike down it without "poppin a wheelie" as Logan likes to say. I call it riding a bike.

EAST_TX_RN

09-25-2007, 05:42 PM

Thanks ET! XTC, I think we started with moonlights and it evolved to this! Will have to check back to the beginning of the thread. I am waiting anxiously for my new moonlights I ordered from Ebay. Btw, I also checked into buying a plastic gutter to make a DIY hood, but it was not wide enough for a light and my moonlights, darn-it! Maybe I can get my husband drunk enough to agree to make me a wood hood, heh-heh! Will check out Wally World and also pick up a waterbed fill/drain kit.
Thanks ya'll!

Sharon

AndrewH

09-27-2007, 03:56 PM

Found one on Ace Hardware's website for $6.99 but no picture (http://www.acehardware.com/sm-rps-products-waterbed-drain-and-fill-kit-dfk--pi-1279921.html)

AndrewH

09-27-2007, 04:08 PM

Oh and here's (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_python.php) are step-by-step instructions on how to build a DIY python.

rolloffhill

09-27-2007, 04:14 PM

Wrong thread there padnah

EAST_TX_RN

09-27-2007, 06:49 PM

Thanks anyway! Update: Got my moonlights in today and was disappointed the 36" 18 LED one did not have the dimmer switch! The 20 inch one did. I had paid for both. I emailed Digikits and let them know to credit my paypal for the one dimmer switch. I am looking at them now and they look great! Still looking for a nice 3 ft. hooded light...

Sharon

biggin

09-27-2007, 06:55 PM

Thats why he stays in the corner....

Wrong thread there padnah

rolloffhill

09-27-2007, 08:07 PM

:hehe:

AndrewH

09-28-2007, 01:11 PM

Will check out Wally World and also pick up a waterbed fill/drain kit.
Thanks ya'll!

Sharon

Wrong thread there padnah

Thats why he stays in the corner....

:hehe:

I was responding to her last statement, numb n**s cuz I looked at Wally World and didn't find one!

Vivarium Concepts

10-03-2007, 07:28 PM

Sharon,we get the 48" flourescent shop lights ( Lights Of America) and cut them down to size to fit on the 36" racks we use. They are easy to disassemble, get the hacksaw after it, and then snap it back together. And then we can run 36" T-8 bulbs.

AndrewH

10-04-2007, 12:15 AM

The problem isn't finding 36" fixtures, it's finding 36" bulbs that aren't $10 each.

Where you getting your 36" tubes (if you're reselling them then I don't want you to list your source :D, just wondering if you know of somewhere local with a good stock pile that doesnt' want an arm and a leg for em)?

EAST_TX_RN

10-04-2007, 05:47 AM

Thanks for the info Viv, didn't know you could do that.

Vivarium Concepts

10-04-2007, 07:55 AM

Andrew, we don't sell bulbs so it's cool.
I get them from That Fish Place, Pet Solutions. You can catch them sometimes when they are offering 'Free" shipping, or when they run bulbs on sale.
And we have checked with our wholesaler, and we can usually get the bulbs from these places cheaper than if we bought them from the wholesaler. So much for buying wholesale!
But depending on which bulbs you are interested in, they could be $10.
We have been trying different bulbs, keep in mind we are not using these above tanks with water, but tanks with plants, and we like the CoralLife Color Max, Zoo Med Ultra Sun and Flora Sun, Arcadia Fresh Water Lamp.

For our application the twin bulb shop lights work best for us. We can suspend them from the wire rack and not have them resting on the tank tops. We had a hard time finding 36" fixtures that weren't $80.

AndrewH

10-04-2007, 09:28 AM

Let me re-track down my source, but I think I saw 36" fixtures for $18-$20 (shop lights), but the problem has always been finding tubes for them so I haven't been suggestion those fixtures.

I'll get back to you ASAP.

AndrewH

10-04-2007, 09:50 AM

VC, check you're PM ;)

ponderbc

07-24-2008, 05:26 PM

Yea I tried out the string light project and it looked really good. I took it out and put down a peice of lexan then the lights then the hood. I was paranoid about frying my fish. I will get some pictures on when I am fully finished with this project.:)

Good Wolf

07-24-2008, 06:08 PM

How about moon lights on marine tanks?

The Mrs. wants a puffer and she also wants a tank in the bedroom with a moonlight. I figure I'll try to knock out two fish requests with one stone.