Light Rack For My T5's [Archive]

BIGBIRD123

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 09:04 PM

Since I'm going all T5's on my tank. I need to build a light rack. I need one that will put the lights about 3-1/2' to 4" off the water and swing away for access. So, I figured I take pix along the way for your enjoyment...I am using aluminum "C" channels.

Main parts

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01373.jpg

Main frame screwed together
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01375.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01376.jpg

Holes drilled for the endcaps
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01377.jpg

I will post more pix as this project comes to completion with a few more along the way...

Enjoy..

Steve

cpreefguy

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 10:18 PM

Nice! I may hit you up because Im thinking about re-doing my light rack :D

BIGBIRD123

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 10:34 PM

I have PLENTY of the channel...for a PRICE....lol!

Just let me know.....S2.

S

jtrux

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 10:35 PM

Is that gonna be welded??

BIGBIRD123

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 10:38 PM

No, it is screwed together with "L" clips that I made. I will post a pic of the clips tomorrow and the "self-tapping" screws.

Steve

BIGBIRD123

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 10:51 PM

Here maybe you can see the screws and clips....
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/clips.jpg

and here...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/clips-1.jpg

HTH
Steve

cpreefguy

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 10:57 PM

I have PLENTY of the channel...for a PRICE....lol!

Just let me know.....S2.

S

Ill wait to see how yours comes out :D
lol

BIGBIRD123

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 10:59 PM

nuttin' but a thang...

coraline79

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 11:44 PM

That table saw looks very familiar. Kinda like the one that split my finger down the middle last summer! Still using it though, just gained a mutual respect. haha!

BIGBIRD123

Fri, 18th Jul 2008, 11:49 PM

Yea, I got this one from a guy in Killeen that did the same thing...weird!

S

CoryDude

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 12:02 AM

Those going on your 135G tank or your new one?

PS, trying to talk my wife into letting me buy those coralvue DE's from you now that you don't need them.

BIGBIRD123

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 12:26 AM

Yea, they're going on the 135g for now and I'll double it for the 280g. Cory, just tell her how much ya love her...

S

BIGBIRD123

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 03:13 AM

Well, I got lights mounted and "roughed-in" for test firing. I still have to put on the swing arms, a few more reflectors and a little "tweeking" but it's almost finished and MAN is it bright! Here are a few pix...

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01378.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01381.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01383.jpg

Steve

SoLiD

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 03:22 AM

Ur up Late.... Nice Pictures.

LoneStar

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 04:05 AM

Looking good Steve!

Fish4life

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 08:28 AM

Do ya'll ever sleep? Steve, looks like you got a procolor.....

Cheers,

Kurt

BIGBIRD123

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 11:13 AM

Yea, I have 2. I briefly hooked the 4 up last night to see if they worked. I have 2 Pro color, 2 Super Blue, 1 Actinic and 1 10K. I haven't been to bed yet since I started on this project. I now have all the lights out of the canopy and starting to retro fit the new ones. Here's a pic of the empty canopy...

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01384.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01385.jpg

S

BIGBIRD123

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 11:50 AM

Now,I think I'll paint the inside of the canopy white to help with more reflection. I've now been working on this since 4:45 pm yesterday. I' going to take a break and go eat lunch with the wife but I'll be back soon....besides I need the paint.

Steve

clone

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 12:12 PM

Great work steve,looks good.
cant wait to see it on the tank.

Bigun

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 12:36 PM

That looks really great to me.

Jamie

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 04:18 PM

Looks awesome Steve. You're gonna love those T5's...I certainly love mine. Are they 60" or 72"?

subsailor

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 05:43 PM

You weren't kidding you are going all out. Looks great so far.

BIGBIRD123

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 05:48 PM

Here is some more pix...

Swing arms
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01386.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01387.jpg

Swing arms in action
down
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01388.jpg

up
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01390.jpg

If you notice the bar clamp holding the door closed at the bottom left corner of the canopy, you can see in the second picture how far the rack goes back.

Steve

CoryDude

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 10:59 PM

Love the idea for the swing arms. I've done a few retrofit-all-night-benders and it's rough. Hope you get them up and going and get some rest on Sunday.

BIGBIRD123

Sat, 19th Jul 2008, 11:51 PM

Well, here is the almost finished product.

Front with lights down
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01391.jpg

Lights uphttp://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01392.jpg

Side view lights downhttp://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01394.jpg

lights uphttp://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01393.jpg

Just a few more things to tweek. I'm working on a cable system that will raise the rack when I raise the canopy lid.

Hope you enjoy...

Steve

JeffCo

Sun, 20th Jul 2008, 12:13 PM

Looks great Steve, it will def help when your needing to get in the tank.

tropicana

Sun, 20th Jul 2008, 12:15 PM

Just a few more things to tweek. I'm working on a cable system that will raise the rack when I raise the canopy lid.

Hope you enjoy...

Steve

You could even just make a hook and eye device on the top of the rack, and push it and hook it.

BIGBIRD123

Sun, 20th Jul 2008, 12:36 PM

You could even just make a hook and eye device on the top of the rack, and push it and hook it.

Yea, Travis, that would work but I'm that "extreme" guy, so it's pulley system or bust....LOL!

Steve

tropicana

Sun, 20th Jul 2008, 06:53 PM

Yea, Travis, that would work but I'm that "extreme" guy, so it's pulley system or bust....LOL!

Steve

lol. Then you need an Electronic version with a Button LOL.

Paul28

Sun, 20th Jul 2008, 07:06 PM

Thats nice steve full t5s do you like them alot better then the MHs

BIGBIRD123

Sun, 20th Jul 2008, 07:26 PM

I don't know yet.. I got a couple of bulbs not firing right.

s

BIGBIRD123

Sun, 20th Jul 2008, 10:55 PM

You tell me what you think. Here are a few pix since adding the lights...

FTS
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01400.jpg

Rainbow Sherbert
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01402.jpg

Purple Prostrata
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01401.jpg

Well?

Steve

dustint21

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 12:05 AM

Do you have a FTS with the MH's to compare?

VoodooMach

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 12:14 AM

lol. Then you need an Electronic version with a Button LOL.
voice activated!!!

BIGBIRD123

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 04:54 PM

Do you have a FTS with the MH's to compare?

T5's
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/DSC01400.jpg
MH's
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/Picture301.jpg

I don't think it's a good comparison because I only have 4 T5's working right now and not the 6.

S

LoneStar

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 05:03 PM

are the other two t5's more 10k in color?

BIGBIRD123

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 05:56 PM

No, 1 is a Pro color and the other is actinic. You think I need more 10k?

S

LoneStar

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 06:01 PM

It looks a lil blue to me but thats from the photos I'm sure. I'll be interested to see it once all the bulbs are installed. I'm sure that will change it up a bit :)

aeroaustin

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 06:02 PM

you have two procolor? maybe lose one procolor add one aquablue or aquasun?

hobogato

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 06:06 PM

i think they may be right steve.... i dont know if that combo of bulbs will be enough par. i would change one procolor to another 10K. that would give you three blue/actinic, one procolor and two 10K.

Mr_Cool

Mon, 21st Jul 2008, 07:34 PM

Will 6 bulbs be enough for a tank that's 25 in. tall? Be sure to post pics when they're all up and running.

Jamie

Fri, 25th Jul 2008, 07:25 PM

I use 6 T5 bulbs on my 24" deep tank with great results. I do think that BB's coloration is a bit more blue than mine though. I run all Geissman bulbs...2 aquablues (10K), 1 pure actinic, 1 midday (6.5K), and 2 Actinic plus (20K). I'm happy with the color it produces. I've got a FTS in the photography section if interested in checking it out.