Everything you ever wanted to know about DIY lighting, but were afraid to ask

bigredspecial · 02-14-2006, 07:51 AM

Here's what I'm talking abot with the wires. Note: Red is positive, black is negative.

Here is how Most switches hook into the circuit. No guarantees that yours is the same.

love_fish · 02-14-2006, 01:08 PM

Oh, ok i know what you mean now. I was in a rush to draw that picture, sorry. I tihnk im just going to go with 2 43 watt bulbs (if i can find them) and a timer unless i can get the swicth to work.

Sorry for all the questions bigred, and thanks for the help.

bigredspecial · 02-14-2006, 01:36 PM

It's no problem; that's what I started this thread for.

Orion · 02-16-2006, 07:49 AM

Just like to share something about the PC Screw in type bulbs:

Don't buy the cheapest ones you can find. They can, and will explode without warning. Now that I've scared the crap out of you I'll explain.

The ones that I've had the misfortune of experenceing the bulbs didn't explode. But the base of the bulb did, causing the bulb to shoot from the base. So I guess if the bulb hit something, or was cooled down fast enough then yes it would blow too.

I've used the Lights of America bulbs with no problems. It's the really super cheap ones that I've had blow up on me. I bought them at a 'Dollar Mart'. They are a dollar a bulb for a reason.

love_fish · 02-16-2006, 02:49 PM

So lights at home depot will be ok then right?

bigredspecial · 02-16-2006, 05:13 PM

Yes, HD has Philips bulbs, possibly the best you can get.

love_fish · 02-16-2006, 05:52 PM

OK, good. I really hope they have the 43 watt bulbs. It'll probably be much easier than hooking up 4 bulbs. Well, not as much easier, just less work.

Were the 43 watt bulbs you saw the same price as the 23 watt bulbs?

bigredspecial · 02-16-2006, 06:19 PM

Nope... if I'm not mistaken, the 42w was $12.95 cdn each, while the 27's were 12.95 for two.

love_fish · 02-16-2006, 06:28 PM

hmm, ok then, ill do whatever comes out cheaper than since you claim u got 6 for $20.

BigDaddy420 · 02-16-2006, 11:50 PM

i got mine at walmart, i "think" they were 100w CF's 2 in a package for 8.98 or something like that. daylight spectrum i believe.
should sticky this post up with DIY co2.

02-14-2006, 07:51 AM	#31
bigredspecial Large Fish Join Date: May 2004 Location: St.John's, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 731	Here's what I'm talking abot with the wires. Note: Red is positive, black is negative. Here is how Most switches hook into the circuit. No guarantees that yours is the same. __________________ 29g: Featherfin synodontis, kuhli loaches, Cories, swordtail, Lemon tetras, Siamese Algae Eaters, tiger barbs; Java fern, Java moss, Compact swords, Rotala indica, Crinum calamistratum. 10g Nano: 14.5lbs LR, Clown Goby, various inverts, Zoanthids, palythoa, mushrooms and colt corals, plus one unidentified LPS.

02-14-2006, 01:08 PM	#32
love_fish Medium Fish Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New York, US Posts: 501	Oh, ok i know what you mean now. I was in a rush to draw that picture, sorry. I tihnk im just going to go with 2 43 watt bulbs (if i can find them) and a timer unless i can get the swicth to work. Sorry for all the questions bigred, and thanks for the help. __________________ [29 gal under construction]

02-14-2006, 01:36 PM	#33
bigredspecial Large Fish Join Date: May 2004 Location: St.John's, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 731	It's no problem; that's what I started this thread for. __________________ 29g: Featherfin synodontis, kuhli loaches, Cories, swordtail, Lemon tetras, Siamese Algae Eaters, tiger barbs; Java fern, Java moss, Compact swords, Rotala indica, Crinum calamistratum. 10g Nano: 14.5lbs LR, Clown Goby, various inverts, Zoanthids, palythoa, mushrooms and colt corals, plus one unidentified LPS.

02-16-2006, 07:49 AM	#34
Orion Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,666	Just like to share something about the PC Screw in type bulbs: Don't buy the cheapest ones you can find. They can, and will explode without warning. Now that I've scared the crap out of you I'll explain. The ones that I've had the misfortune of experenceing the bulbs didn't explode. But the base of the bulb did, causing the bulb to shoot from the base. So I guess if the bulb hit something, or was cooled down fast enough then yes it would blow too. I've used the Lights of America bulbs with no problems. It's the really super cheap ones that I've had blow up on me. I bought them at a 'Dollar Mart'. They are a dollar a bulb for a reason. __________________ I am Species 5618: Coffee Based life form Join us in the MFT.net chatroom!

02-16-2006, 02:49 PM	#35
love_fish Medium Fish Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New York, US Posts: 501	So lights at home depot will be ok then right? __________________ [29 gal under construction]

02-16-2006, 05:13 PM	#36
bigredspecial Large Fish Join Date: May 2004 Location: St.John's, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 731	Yes, HD has Philips bulbs, possibly the best you can get. __________________ 29g: Featherfin synodontis, kuhli loaches, Cories, swordtail, Lemon tetras, Siamese Algae Eaters, tiger barbs; Java fern, Java moss, Compact swords, Rotala indica, Crinum calamistratum. 10g Nano: 14.5lbs LR, Clown Goby, various inverts, Zoanthids, palythoa, mushrooms and colt corals, plus one unidentified LPS.

02-16-2006, 05:52 PM	#37
love_fish Medium Fish Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New York, US Posts: 501	OK, good. I really hope they have the 43 watt bulbs. It'll probably be much easier than hooking up 4 bulbs. Well, not as much easier, just less work. Were the 43 watt bulbs you saw the same price as the 23 watt bulbs? __________________ [29 gal under construction]

02-16-2006, 06:19 PM	#38
bigredspecial Large Fish Join Date: May 2004 Location: St.John's, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 731	Nope... if I'm not mistaken, the 42w was $12.95 cdn each, while the 27's were 12.95 for two. __________________ 29g: Featherfin synodontis, kuhli loaches, Cories, swordtail, Lemon tetras, Siamese Algae Eaters, tiger barbs; Java fern, Java moss, Compact swords, Rotala indica, Crinum calamistratum. 10g Nano: 14.5lbs LR, Clown Goby, various inverts, Zoanthids, palythoa, mushrooms and colt corals, plus one unidentified LPS.

02-16-2006, 06:28 PM	#39
love_fish Medium Fish Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New York, US Posts: 501	hmm, ok then, ill do whatever comes out cheaper than since you claim u got 6 for $20. __________________ [29 gal under construction]

02-16-2006, 11:50 PM	#40
BigDaddy420 Medium Fish Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: bellaire, ohio Posts: 410	i got mine at walmart, i "think" they were 100w CF's 2 in a package for 8.98 or something like that. daylight spectrum i believe. should sticky this post up with DIY co2. __________________ Big Daddy 55 Gallon 1- Albino Tiger Oscar, 2- pl*cos 1 - Dinosaur Eel(Bichir). small convict