Rain Gutter Lights

[NEO_72]

First off, I'd like to say thanks to Rudy, from whose post I got the idea, and for answering my questions and giving me some good advice.

I've just completed my own 4' dual light strip. Bought a shop light with electronic ballast and mounted it inside a rain gutter. Drilled some ventilation holes, painted it(impatiently, so it streaked a little), and saved myself tons of cash.

I'll definitely continue to go this route for my larger tank plans. Although I tried to pinch every penny on this project, I think I'd invest a little more next time. I would start with a T8 fixture, and try to find a wider gutter.

I spent $48 CAD for 2 bulbs, 2x4' pre-wired fixture with ballast, gutter and caps, paint, and self-drilling screws(I don't have a rivet gun).

Here's some pics:

[NEO_72]

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[NEO_72]

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[NEO_72]

Last one...

[Solace]

Looks good Neo... makes one wonder why they pay all that money for those expensive lights eh?

[NEO_72]

Thanks Solace. Yeah, inbred consumerism, makes us like to blow $$...

And I'm not too experienced with being handy, so if I can do it, anyone can ;)

[basicinstinct911]

great pics...now give us a pic lighting up your tank

[NEO_72]

Sure - I just have to get a different bulb - I put two phillips 6500K's with my other plant gro bulb, and it's just too washed out right now. I'm going to tone down one or both of those bulbs and get more warmth. But they're working great. Just doesn't look so hot with the 46" fixture from my old hood stuck in front of the new setup, but I need the light....

[PedroPSK]

nice work! I like the rain gutter idea!

[NEO_72]

Thanks PedroPSK. Here's some before/after pics of just the old light, and then both of them. The increased light really shows off my hardware, so I'll have to clean it all up. Plus deal with some water that's leaked behind my background...

[NEO_72]

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[NEO_72]

And a few shamless plugs og my green severum, cause for the first time he's photogenic with the new lights ;)

[NEO_72]

Last one!!

[NEO_72]

Hmm, one didn't post....so I'm a liar - one more ;)

[basicinstinct911]

thanks...nice improvement

[NEO_72]

Thank you :)

[Rudy]

Looks really good Neo. BTW I always screw up the paint job as well!

[NEO_72]

Thanks Rudy - yeah man, I don't have the patience for light coats. I doused the thing, then it ran, then I sanded some off, tried again, it ran some more...live and learn I guess...I'll know better next time. I wonder how you stop dust from settling on it while it dries? THAT was pushing my buttons....

[Solace]

Nice pics Neo. That's a chunky gold severum you got going on there. :)

[NEO_72]

:rofl2: :rofl2: :lol2:

Yeah Solace, I was thinking so too!! Been searching up on fish obesity. I only feed twice daily, before and after work. I don't know what's going on. My female BP is a porker too....;) Everyone else looks trim....????

[NEO_72]

Man, now you got me thinking. I just found this info on possible resons for appearing fat -

"Egg-bound - this is where the female fish has eggs but does not lay them because conditions are not perfect, or there is no male; the eggs may rot inside her causing an internal infection; treat with broad-spectrum antibiotics like erythromycin.

Internal parasites - intense infestations of large internal parasites (mostly worms) can result in abdominal swelling; if worms are detected protruding from the vent (anus) of the fish, then treat with a medication that says it kills worms in fish; most common in larger wild-caught fish."

See tried to lay eggs a couple of months ago, ovipositor out and making passes over a rock, but nothing came out. And the parasites, well she's sometimes had abnormal feces(kind of watery), but I've treated her with meds twice since I bought her....I can feel a raging bout of psychosomatic paranoia coming on ;)