biocube fuge lighting

ajm · 12/20/2009, 11:34 AM

Ive done some searching and could find anything on the diy fuge/converting the bioball chamber to a fuge on a 29g bio cube. Im mainly trying to figure out what everyone has used for a lighting fixture on the back or lighting in general. Right now that chamber is just full of filter floss for a little filtration and to cut down on the splashing noise since the tank is right by the couch.

mattskims · 12/20/2009, 12:05 PM

There's a few options...1) scrap the paint off the back glass and attach a clip on light 2) DIY a socket and fixture made from pvc outlet box and cfl bulb close to 6700k as possible, 3) buy one of the underwater lights from inTank.

I'm sure there many other options people hace created as well but those are the simplest.

ajm · 12/20/2009, 06:22 PM

Thanks. Any idea where I can get some cheato online? I cant seem to find a lfs around here with any.

BethanyM · 12/20/2009, 06:27 PM

you can look in RC's livestock trade and sale forum.

Daimyo68 · 12/20/2009, 08:37 PM

Go to Home Depot and buy:
1 - 3 Gang outlet Box - http://lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pr...55R&lpage=none

1 - 6' Extension cord - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...600&lpage=none

1 - Lamp Socket with the screw on top (Crushes the wires into channels to make the connection) They don't show it on their website, but it's about $2.50

1 - Bulb of choice, I got this one, 6500k - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...347&lpage=none

1 - Shortest piece of Stove Pipe you can find.

Out the door under $20.00

Take it all home.

Scrape the backing off of the second chamber.
Drill a hole in one end of the Gang Box. (Paint it black if you want to, I did)
Cut a piece of the Stove Pipe and fit it into the Gang box to create a reflector.
Epoxy your Bulb Socket into that hole.
Cut the outlet end of the extension cord off, and attach it to the Bulb Fixture (Self Explanatory)
Screw in your bulb.
plug it in to make sure it works.
Hang onto the back of your nano against the area that you removed the backing from and your done. You could also attach the finished fixture to a small piece of 2x4 to get the light up to the level of the "fuge".

coralreef321 · 12/21/2009, 01:31 PM

i use the nano glo led magnet light on my fuge. i really like it and it works great but the price was a little high. i guess it all depends on your budget.

sunfishh · 12/21/2009, 02:52 PM

That is a brilliant DIY light fixture Daimyo68

Daimyo68 · 12/21/2009, 06:05 PM

I don't wanna claim that it was my invention when someone else had already come up with it

I had seen something similar somewhere on the web but couldn't find it again, so I just posted what I did. It's pretty much the same steps that the other person took.

It works great. I have it on a timer opposite of the DT lights. It sits right almost directly against the back glass on the BC, The screws that I used to keep the "reflector" in place is the only gap, and there is almost 0 heat transferred. I watched my temps and didn't see them rise at all. My Chaeto is growing nicely.

ajm · 12/21/2009, 06:47 PM

Thanks daimyo that was exactly the one I was looking for, I had seen it somewhere in the past but just wasnt sure where and couldnt find it although the lfs has a submersible light for $15 so im not sure which one would be the most convenient to go with & work best. The next thing is trying to get a hold of some cheato.

Daimyo68 · 12/21/2009, 10:44 PM

I was thinking about a submersible light also, but couldn't find one locally, and I'm a big DIY'r, so putting this thing together was fun (although it was finished in about 15mins, the fun didn't last too long).

As for Chaeto, check out your local reef club forums. I'm sure that there is someone doing some trimming, and you could get it for next to nothing.
You LFS should have some also, and it's relatively cheap. When I got mine for the first time (not for this tank), it was like $7 for a pound of it.

12/20/2009, 11:34 AM	#1
ajm Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 103	biocube fuge lighting Ive done some searching and could find anything on the diy fuge/converting the bioball chamber to a fuge on a 29g bio cube. Im mainly trying to figure out what everyone has used for a lighting fixture on the back or lighting in general. Right now that chamber is just full of filter floss for a little filtration and to cut down on the splashing noise since the tank is right by the couch.

12/20/2009, 12:05 PM	#2
mattskims Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 348	There's a few options...1) scrap the paint off the back glass and attach a clip on light 2) DIY a socket and fixture made from pvc outlet box and cfl bulb close to 6700k as possible, 3) buy one of the underwater lights from inTank. I'm sure there many other options people hace created as well but those are the simplest. __________________ "If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water" - Loren Eisley

12/20/2009, 06:27 PM	#4
BethanyM Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Indiana / Louisville Metro Posts: 385	you can look in RC's livestock trade and sale forum. __________________ Maybe this world is another planet's hell. - Aldous Huxley Current Tank Info: 24 nanocube D, 125 in the works

12/20/2009, 08:37 PM	#5
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	Go to Home Depot and buy: 1 - 3 Gang outlet Box - http://lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pr...55R&lpage=none 1 - 6' Extension cord - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...600&lpage=none 1 - Lamp Socket with the screw on top (Crushes the wires into channels to make the connection) They don't show it on their website, but it's about $2.50 1 - Bulb of choice, I got this one, 6500k - http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...347&lpage=none 1 - Shortest piece of Stove Pipe you can find. Out the door under $20.00 Take it all home. Scrape the backing off of the second chamber. Drill a hole in one end of the Gang Box. (Paint it black if you want to, I did) Cut a piece of the Stove Pipe and fit it into the Gang box to create a reflector. Epoxy your Bulb Socket into that hole. Cut the outlet end of the extension cord off, and attach it to the Bulb Fixture (Self Explanatory) Screw in your bulb. plug it in to make sure it works. Hang onto the back of your nano against the area that you removed the backing from and your done. You could also attach the finished fixture to a small piece of 2x4 to get the light up to the level of the "fuge". __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

12/21/2009, 02:52 PM	#7
sunfishh Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fullerton, Ca Posts: 1,875	That is a brilliant DIY light fixture Daimyo68 __________________ It's nice to be important, but important to be nice

12/20/2009, 06:22 PM	#3
ajm Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 103	Thanks. Any idea where I can get some cheato online? I cant seem to find a lfs around here with any.

12/21/2009, 01:31 PM	#6
coralreef321 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: littleton Posts: 858	i use the nano glo led magnet light on my fuge. i really like it and it works great but the price was a little high. i guess it all depends on your budget.

12/21/2009, 06:05 PM	#8
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	I don't wanna claim that it was my invention when someone else had already come up with it I had seen something similar somewhere on the web but couldn't find it again, so I just posted what I did. It's pretty much the same steps that the other person took. It works great. I have it on a timer opposite of the DT lights. It sits right almost directly against the back glass on the BC, The screws that I used to keep the "reflector" in place is the only gap, and there is almost 0 heat transferred. I watched my temps and didn't see them rise at all. My Chaeto is growing nicely. __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

12/21/2009, 06:47 PM	#9
ajm Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 103	Thanks daimyo that was exactly the one I was looking for, I had seen it somewhere in the past but just wasnt sure where and couldnt find it although the lfs has a submersible light for $15 so im not sure which one would be the most convenient to go with & work best. The next thing is trying to get a hold of some cheato.

12/21/2009, 10:44 PM	#10
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	I was thinking about a submersible light also, but couldn't find one locally, and I'm a big DIY'r, so putting this thing together was fun (although it was finished in about 15mins, the fun didn't last too long). As for Chaeto, check out your local reef club forums. I'm sure that there is someone doing some trimming, and you could get it for next to nothing. You LFS should have some also, and it's relatively cheap. When I got mine for the first time (not for this tank), it was like $7 for a pound of it. __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President