Habitat - Indoor :: Lights from the hardware store?

[CharlieBear]

So I am in the process of building an ATBA for my new tank. The aquarium is 36'' and the platform is 24''. I am worried about the tank under being too dark...so i wanted a light for visual purposes only (not for heat or UV) but aquarium fluorescent lights are so expensive so i looked into some other options. Lowe's sells under cabinet strip lights (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none) that have a plastic cover. They would be mounted about 2 inches from the surface of the water...is this a good idea? If not any other suggestions for inexpensive, yet nice looking lights? Thanks!

[Kemul]

If the light is splash-proof/water-proof, I think it should be alright. You don't want
electrocuted animals or plastic/glass broken in the tank

[Daniel3507]

agree with kemul. as long as you make sure they cant be touched or splashed. i have a regular fluorescent light hanging above my tank for light.

[blulite]

i had the same problem with my ATBA as some of you may have seen i have a full lenght ATBA.

i decided that to mount my light i would use a piece of gutter. the half round type.

line the inside with tin foil using a waterproof D3 type glue to act as a reflector.

then position the guttring at an angle so the water can not splash the light. then using the end stops that i got with the gutter. silicone these to tank and clip in the gutter. easy peasy. oh and dont forget to attatch your light to the stop ends of the gutter. before you clip in the guttering.

[CharlieBear]

I think i get what you mean...but is it possible to post a picture? Thanks!

[blulite]

i have yet to set mine up but i can slot things together so you can get the basic idea. give me half hour.

[blulite]

ok heres what you need

1 length of half round guttering.
2 guttering end stops
1 light
1 controller
1 tube silicone
1 roll silver/tin foil
1 pot D3 glue (not shown because i have ran out)



tools

saw
mastic gun
wallpaper roller
paint brush

ok so take your guttering and cut to length



take your glue and paint it onto the inside of the guttering. then lay on your foil shiny side up and press on with the wallpaper roller.



next attatch your stop ends to the sides of your tank at an angle similar to this. as you can see this isn't the side of my tank but this is a quick demo. to attach your ends use the silicone.



now if you have a strip light from the DIY store then you may want to attatch the light into the ends before sticking it onto the tank. especially if it is one of the ones with the aluminium frame. if its just the clips for the light then you can do it in any order. anyway

once your ends and/or light is in place. leave the silicone to dry for at least i would sy 72 hours just to be sure its a nice strong hold. then all you gotta do is take your guttering and clip it in place. this should create a reflector and a shield for thr lamp.

be sure that the angle of the shade and the positioning of the light within isn't going to let splashes in or electric out. and be sure there is a gap between the lamp and the shade you dont want it to melt.

i hope this gives you the info you needed. please let me kn ow what you think.

[CharlieBear]

Thanks! I might have to try this

[blulite]

its a good, cheap, reliable idea that can be adapted to fit any tank and light. so it should work great. as i say i bought all the things to start the project but i just haven't had the time yet. i've been building the ATBA. which have you seen btw? you can have a look here.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19994

as you can see i need to lift the entire vivarium ATBA from the top of the tank to gain access to do the light. this needs 2 people so im gonna wait untill one of my mates comes round. but after that its plain sailing. well it will be if i can get my floor done in the ATBA.